Oncogenic Role of Fusion-circRNAs Derived from Cancer-Associated Chromosomal Translocations

Jlenia Guarnerio, Marco Bezzi, Jong Cheol Jeong, Stella V. Paffenholz, Kelsey Berry, Matteo M. Naldini, Francesco Lo-Coco, Yvonne Tay, Andrew H. Beck, Pier Paolo Pandolfi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

487 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chromosomal translocations encode oncogenic fusion proteins that have been proven to be causally involved in tumorigenesis. Our understanding of whether such genomic alterations also affect non-coding RNAs is limited, and their impact on circular RNAs (circRNAs) has not been explored. Here, we show that well-established cancer-associated chromosomal translocations give rise to fusion circRNAs (f-circRNA) that are produced from transcribed exons of distinct genes affected by the translocations. F-circRNAs contribute to cellular transformation, promote cell viability and resistance upon therapy, and have tumor-promoting properties in in vivo models. Our work expands the current knowledge regarding molecular mechanisms involved in cancer onset and progression, with potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)289-302
Number of pages14
JournalCell
Volume165
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 7 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Inc.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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