page_title: Circular RNA
hierarchical_section_title: Circular RNA
context_page_description: Circular RNA is a type of single-stranded RNA which, unlike linear RNA, forms a covalently closed continuous loop. In circular RNA the 3' and 5' ends normally present in an RNA molecule have been joined together. This feature confers numerous properties to circular RNA, many of which have only recently been identified.
  Many types of circular RNA arise from otherwise protein-coding genes. Some circular RNA have been shown to code for proteins. Some types of circular RNA have recently shown potential as gene regulators. The biological function of most circular RNA are unclear.
  Because circular RNA does not have 5' or 3' ends, they are resistant to exonuclease-mediated degradation and are presumably more stable than most linear RNA in cells. Circular RNA has been linked to some diseases such as cancer.
context_section_description: Circular RNA (or circRNA) is a type of single-stranded RNA which, unlike linear RNA, forms a covalently closed continuous loop. In circular RNA the 3' and 5' ends normally present in an RNA molecule have been joined together. This feature confers numerous properties to circular RNA, many of which have only recently been identified.
  Many types of circular RNA arise from otherwise protein-coding genes. Some circular RNA have been shown to code for proteins. Some types of circular RNA have recently shown potential as gene regulators. The biological function of most circular RNA are unclear.
  Because circular RNA does not have 5' or 3' ends, they are resistant to exonuclease-mediated degradation and are presumably more stable than most linear RNA in cells. Circular RNA has been linked to some diseases such as cancer.
caption: CircRNA biogenesis. A. mRNA splicing, with alternative splice variants. All mRNAs have cap and polyA tail. B. CircRNA formation via backsplicing