Role of circRNA in ophthalmic diseases / 中华实验眼科杂志

ABSTRACT

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a closed loop molecule generated by the back-splicing of pre-mRNA.CircRNA can act as microRNA (miRNA) sponge or combine with proteins and RNAs to form complexes, having functions of regulating the host gene expression and protein translation, which is of great significance in physiology and pathophysiology.Aberrant expression of specific circRNA exists in multiple ophthalmic diseases.As miRNA sponge that regulates the expression of target genes, circRNA may induce the various dysfunctions of eye cells, resulting in neovascularization, vascular leakage, inflammation, neurodegeneration, lens opacity, tumor growth and other pathologic changes, which plays an important role in the development and progression of eye disorders.In this article, the current expression characteristics of circRNA and the gene regulatory networks mediated by circRNA in several ophthalmic diseases were reviewed to explore the value of circRNA being diagnostic biomarkers and new therapeutic targets in ophthalomology.