《生命科学》 2015, 27(9): 1125-1132
摘 要：摘 要：环形RNA (circular RNA， circRNA) 广泛存在于各种生物细胞中，并且具有结构稳定、表达量丰富以及在不同组织及其不同发育阶段具有表达特异性等特征。目前认为，circRNA 可以在转录后水平调控基因表达，但是circRNA 的产生机制及其代谢途径仍然不是很清楚。迄今研究认为，circRNA 的主要生物学作用是作为微小RNA (microRNA， miRNA) 海绵体调控miRNA 的表达。此外，circRNA 在肿瘤、动脉粥样硬化、糖尿病、帕金森病等多种疾病的发生发展中发挥了一定的作用。深入了解circRNA 的作用机制及其功能，有助于深入了解疾病的发生、发展机理，设计更好的预防、诊断和治疗疾病新策略。
Abstract: Abstract: Circular RNA (circular RNA， circRNA) was in a large number of different species， and they are stable，rich and often show tissue-/developmental-stage-specific expression. However， the detailed mechanisms of their biogenesis and regulation have remained elusive although some evidence suggest that circRNAs regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The major function of circRNA is considered as microRNA (miRNA) sponges. Currently， circRNAs have been found to be involved in the occurrence， development and progression of human diseases， such as tumor， atherosclerosis， diabetes， and Parkinson's disease. To investigate the biogenesis and functions of circular RNAs in depth will help us to find new strategies for the better treatment of those diseases.
