What is advantage of circular RNA over linear
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Advantages of Circular RNA Over Linear RNA
Enhanced Stability of Circular RNA
One of the primary advantages of circular RNA (circRNA) over linear RNA is its enhanced stability. Circular RNAs form a covalently closed loop structure, which makes them resistant to exonucleases that typically degrade linear RNAs. This structural feature allows circRNAs to have a longer half-life and greater stability in various biological contexts . This increased stability is particularly beneficial for applications requiring sustained RNA presence, such as therapeutic interventions and biomarker development.
Reduced Immunogenicity
Circular RNAs exhibit reduced immunogenicity compared to linear RNAs. This is because circRNAs can bypass cellular RNA sensors, such as RIG-I and Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are responsible for detecting and initiating immune responses against foreign RNA molecules. As a result, circRNAs are less likely to provoke an immune response, making them more suitable for therapeutic applications where immune activation is undesirable.
Extended Translation Duration
Another significant advantage of circRNAs is their ability to extend the duration of translation. Studies have shown that circRNAs can sustain protein production for longer periods compared to linear RNAs. This extended translation duration is particularly useful in therapeutic contexts where prolonged protein expression is required.
Functional Versatility
Circular RNAs possess a unique functional versatility that linear RNAs do not. They can act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, sequestering miRNAs and preventing them from interacting with their target mRNAs. This regulatory function allows circRNAs to modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally . Additionally, circRNAs can interact with RNA-binding proteins, influencing various cellular processes, and some circRNAs have even been shown to encode small peptides.
Conservation and Abundance
Circular RNAs are highly conserved across species and are abundantly expressed in a tissue-specific and developmental stage-specific manner. This conservation and specific expression pattern suggest that circRNAs play crucial roles in various biological processes and diseases . Their abundance and stability make them ideal candidates for use as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Potential in Disease Biomarkers and Therapeutics
Due to their stability, reduced immunogenicity, and specific expression patterns, circRNAs hold great potential as biomarkers for various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and immune disorders. Their unique properties also make them promising candidates for therapeutic interventions, where they can be used to modulate gene expression or deliver therapeutic proteins .
Conclusion
In summary, circular RNAs offer several advantages over linear RNAs, including enhanced stability, reduced immunogenicity, extended translation duration, functional versatility, and potential as disease biomarkers and therapeutic agents. These properties make circRNAs a valuable tool in both research and clinical applications, paving the way for new advancements in RNA-based therapies and diagnostics.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic