Fig. 2
From: Circular RNA: metabolism, functions and interactions with proteins
Functions of circRNA. a CircRNAs can bind to the host genes at their synthesis locus and cause transcriptional pausing or termination through the formation of RNA-DNA hybrid (R-loop structure), upregulating the exon-skipped or truncated transcripts. b EIciRNAs can combine with U1 snRNP and then interact with Pol II to enhance parental gene expression. c CircRNAs can act as miR sponges and upregulate the miR target mRNAs. d CircRNAs can interact with proteins. e IRES-containing circRNAs can directly recruit ribosomes and be translated. f M6A-containing circRNAs can be recognized by YTHDF3, which recruits eIF4G2, thus triggering translation. This process can be enhanced by METTL3/14 and suppressed by fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO)