Fig. 1

The biogenesis and general mechanisms of circRNAs. CircRNAs are generated through different ways: (1) Spliceosome mediated back-splicing and ligation; (2) Cis-elements involved circRNA biogenesis; (3) RNA-binding protein (RBP) regulated circRNA formation. Meanwhile, circRNAs may exert their functions through acting as miRNAs sponge, modulating the transcription, interplaying with protein directly, or translating into protein