Circular RNA and miR-7 in cancer

Cancer Res. 2013 Sep 15;73(18):5609-12. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-13-1568. Epub 2013 Sep 6.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNA) play important roles in fine-tuning gene expression and are often deregulated in cancer. The identification of competing endogenous RNA and circular RNA (circRNA) as important regulators of miRNA activity underscores the increasing complexity of ncRNA-mediated regulatory networks. Particularly, the recently identified circular RNA, ciRS-7, which acts as a designated miR-7 inhibitor/sponge, has conceptually changed the mechanistic understanding of miRNA networks. As miR-7 modulates the expression of several oncogenes, disclosing the regulation of miR-7 activity will likely advance the understanding of various cancer etiologies. Here, we review the current knowledge about the ciRS-7/miR-7 axis in cancer-related pathways and discuss possible models explaining the relevance of coexpressing miR-7 along with a circRNA inhibitor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / blood*
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • RNA / genetics*
  • RNA, Circular

Substances

  • MIRN7 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Circular
  • RNA