Authors: Rossi F, Beltran M, Damizia M, Grelloni C, Colantoni A, Seti A, Di Timoteo G, Dattilo D, Centrón-Broco A, Nicoletti C, Fanciulli M, Lavia P, Bozzoni I.
Molecular Cell Volume 82, Issue 1, 2022
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a crucial role in a variety of biological processes. The authors of this study show that the widely expressed circZNF609 directly interacts with several mRNAs, thus increasing their stability and/or translation through the recruitment of ELAVL1 protein. Specifically, the translation of CKAP5 mRNA, responsible for regulating microtubule function in cancer cells, is enhanced. The Exact (former Corning Cell Counter) was used to count dead/live K562 chronic myelogenous leukemia cells that were also tested to confirm the widespread nature of this phenomenon.