Journal article

Publication year: 2018

Pages: 1032-1039

Journal: RNA Biology

Volume number: 15

Issue number: 8

ISSN: 1547-6286

eISSN: 1555-8584

Open access status: Green

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/15476286.2018.1435248

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group

Abstract: 
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) were recently described as a novel class of cellular RNAs. Two circRNAs were reported to function as molecular sponges, sequestering specific microRNAs, thereby de-repressing target mRNAs. Due to their elevated stability in comparison to linear RNA, circRNAs may be an interesting tool in molecular medicine and biology. In this study, we provide a proof-of-principle that circRNAs can be engineered as microRNA sponges. As a model system, we used the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), which requires cellular microRNA-122 for its life cycle. We produced artificial circRNA sponges in vitro that efficiently sequester microRNA-122, thereby inhibiting viral protein production in an HCV cell culture system. These circRNAs are more stable than their linear counterparts, and localize both to the cytoplasm and to the nucleus, opening up a wide range of potential applications.

Harvard Citation style: Jost, I., Shalamova, L., Gerresheim, G., Niepmann, M., Bindereif, A. and Rossbach, O. (2018) Functional sequestration of microRNA-122 from Hepatitis C Virus by circular RNA sponges, RNA Biology, 15(8), pp. 1032-1039. https://doi.org/10.1080/15476286.2018.1435248

APA Citation style: Jost, I., Shalamova, L., Gerresheim, G., Niepmann, M., Bindereif, A., & Rossbach, O. (2018). Functional sequestration of microRNA-122 from Hepatitis C Virus by circular RNA sponges. RNA Biology. 15(8), 1032-1039. https://doi.org/10.1080/15476286.2018.1435248