关键词: RNA, 微RNAs, 基因表达, 生殖器肿瘤, 女（雌）性, 环状RNA

Abstract: Circular RNA (circRNA) is a kind of widely existing special non-coding RNA molecular with covalently closed continuous loop structure without canonical 5′cap and 3′poly A. CircRNAs are stable, conserve across species and often exhibit tissue/development-stage-specific expression. They can act as a miRNA "molecular sponge", regulate alternative splicing and modify parental gene expression. CircRNA involves in RNA regulation network, protein translation and is closely related to the occurrence and progression of diseases. As a promising tumor marker and molecular therapeutic target, it becomes a hotspot in ncRNA research. Recently, studies on the biogenesis, biological characteristics and functions of circRNA have made a great progression. It has been found that circRNAs promote proliferation of cancer cells via multiple mechanisms. It is a promising molecular for the early diagnosis, prognosis and chemosensitivity prediction of the patients. There are so far only few reports on the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in female reproductive malignancy. We review the researches on the molecular biological characteristics of circRNAs in malignant tumors of female reproductive system.

Key words: RNA, MicroRNAs, Gene expression, Genital neoplasms, female, Circular RNA