Biogenesis of circular RNA s and their roles in cardiovascular development and pathology

Circular RNA s (circ RNA s) are a newly discovered type of RNA generated by back‐splicing of precursor mRNA and found in many species. They are, expressed in a tissue‐specific manner and fulfill regulatory activities in many biological processes. Recent research has revealed that circ RNA s play critical roles in the development and pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Some of these circ RNA s show aberrant expression and regulatory activities during heart disease including heart failure and cardiac infarction and hypertrophy. These findings suggest that circ RNA s might be a suitable target for the treatment and prevention of heart disease. In this review, we summarize the latest research on the biogenesis and functions of circ RNA s with emphasis on the regulatory roles of circ RNA s in the development and pathologies of the cardiovascular system.