Junction-targeting designs limit the application of CRISPR-Cas13d in circular RNA perturbation studies.

ABSTRACT: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are RNA molecules formed through the backsplicing of linear exons. Several thousand have been identified, yet relatively few are functionally characterized due to challenges in distinguishing effects of circular from linear RNA targets. Recently, CRISPR-Cas13 systems have been utilized to directly target unique junctions formed through backsplicing, potentially allowing for selective degradation of circular isoforms. Applying this approach in pooled screens has indeed identified circRNAs proposed to affect viability in several cancer cell lines. However, the design limitations of applying Cas13d to study circRNAs are not fully characterized. Here, we assessed the limitations of Cas13d-mediated circRNA knockdowns by performing essentiality screens on 900 highly expr

SUBMITTER: Lee-Yow YC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12908608 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature