Fig. 2
From: Biogenesis, functions and clinical significance of circRNAs in gastric cancer
Functions of circRNAs. a circRNAs competitively bind miRNAs, so as to serve as intracellular competitive endogenous RNA, suppressing the effects of miRNAs on target genes. b circRNAs serve as protein baits or antagonists, thus arrestting the function of proteins, thereby affecting the related progresses. c circRNAs can translate to proteins through a cap-independent manner. d cirRNAs complete with the linear RNAs to get a balance. Some splicing factors may participate in this process, increasing the formation of circRNAs while reducing the linear splicing. e circRNAs interact with RNA polymerase II or transcription related factors, regulating the transcription and expression of parental genes