Optimal design of synthetic circular RNAs

Abstract

Circular RNAs are an unusual class of single-stranded RNAs whose ends are covalently linked via back-splicing. Due to their versatility, the need to express circular RNAs in vivo and in vitro has increased. Efforts have been made to efficiently and precisely synthesize circular RNAs. However, a review on the optimization of the processes of circular RNA design, synthesis, and delivery is lacking. Our review highlights the multifaceted aspects considered when producing optimal circular RNAs and summarizes the available options for each step of exogenous circular RNA design and synthesis, including circularization strategies. Additionally, this review describes several potential applications of circular RNAs. Circular RNAs were once considered errors in splicing. However, we now understand that circRNAs are common and play roles in health and disease, including potential use in creating vaccines. This review examines ways to create and use circRNAs, with a focus on improving their creation and delivery for medical purposes. They discuss various methods, including using natural and synthetic elements to enhance circRNA formation and stability. The main findings suggest that improving the creation and delivery of circRNAs could greatly enhance their medical potential. Researchers conclude that with more development, circRNAs could become powerful tools in gene therapy and vaccine creation, offering new ways to treat diseases. The future implications of this research could transform how we approach disease treatment and vaccine creation, making therapies more effective and long-lasting. This summary was initially drafted using artificial intelligence, then revised and fact-checked by the author.