Circular RNA hsa_circ_0032131 (circ-PRKCH) (hsa_circ_0032131)

hsa_circ_0032131, also known as circ-PRKCH, is a circular RNA (circRNA) molecule derived from the exonic regions of the Protein Kinase C Eta (PRKCH) gene [3]. It primarily functions as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), acting as a molecular sponge for microRNAs such as miR-502-5p to regulate downstream signaling pathways like the PRDX3/Trx1 axis [1]. In the context of osteoarthritis (OA), hsa_circ_0032131 is significantly upregulated in peripheral blood and joint tissues, where it promotes chondrocyte apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation [1, 2]. Beyond its role in joint disease, it has been implicated in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis, making it a potential therapeutic target for metabolic and cardiovascular conditions [3]. As a stable non-coding RNA, it serves as a promising diagnostic biomarker for early-stage osteoarthritis [2, 4]. While no specific drugs currently target this molecule in clinical practice, it is a subject of investigation for nucleic acid-based therapeutic interventions such as siRNA-mediated knockdown [1, 4].

Other names

circ-PRKCHcircRNA-PRKCHhsa_circ_0032131

None currently approved; experimental strategies involve the use of siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit its function as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) or miRNA sponge.