Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 circular RNA (circPVT1) (circPVT1)

Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 circular RNA (circPVT1) is a stable, non-coding RNA molecule generated through the back-splicing of exons from the PVT1 gene locus on chromosome 8q24 (Chen et al., 2017, Nature Communications). Unlike its linear counterpart, the circular structure of circPVT1 protects it from exonuclease-mediated degradation, leading to its accumulation in cancer cells and its presence in the extracellular environment (Panda et al., 2017, Nucleic Acids Research). It is significantly upregulated in numerous human malignancies, where it acts as an oncogenic driver by functioning as a molecular sponge for various tumor-suppressive microRNAs, such as miR-125 and miR-145 (Verduci et al., 2017, Molecular Oncology). By sequestering these microRNAs, circPVT1 facilitates the overexpression of downstream oncogenes that promote cell cycle progression, inhibit apoptosis, and enhance epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Due to its high stability in body fluids and its critical role in tumor progression, circPVT1 is being investigated as both a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target (Zhou et al., 2018, Aging). Current therapeutic approaches are in the preclinical stage, focusing on the use of antisense oligonucleotides or siRNA to knockdown its expression and restore microRNA-mediated tumor suppression (He et al., 2019, Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research).

Other names

circPVT1Circular RNA PVT1hsa_circ_0001821PVT1-derived circular RNA

Competitive sequestration of microRNAs (miRNA sponging) to modulate the expression of downstream oncogenic targets.