biostudies-literatureSong CNational Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)393-406https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8817017biostudies-literatureUnknown29(2)Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have gained growing attention in participating in various biological processes and referring to multiply kinds of diseases. Although differentially expressed circRNA profiling in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been established, little is known about the precise characteristic and functions of key circRNAs with direct relevance to AD in gene expression and disease-related cognition. Herein, we screened and identified circCwc27 as a novel circRNA implicated in AD. CircCwc27 was a neuronal-enriched circRNA that abundantly expressed in the brain and significantly upregulated in AD mice and patients. Knockdown of circCwc27 markedly improved AD-related pathological traits and ameliorated cognitive dysfunctions. Mechanistically, we excluded the miRNA decoy mechanism and focCell death and differentiationCircular RNA Cwc27 contributes to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis by repressing Pur-α activity.PMC881701781973297Qiu YZhang YHuang WWang TSong CChen HWang HShi JHuang QJiang MfalseCircular RNA Cwc27 contributes to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis by repressing Pur-α activity.Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have gained growing attention in participating in various biological processes and referring to multiply kinds of diseases. Although differentially expressed circRNA profiling in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been established, little is known about the precise characteristic and functions of key circRNAs with direct relevance to AD in gene expression and disease-related cognition. Herein, we screened and identified circCwc27 as a novel circRNA implicated in AD. CircCwc27 was a neuronal-enriched circRNA that abundantly expressed in the brain and significantly upregulated in AD mice and patients. Knockdown of circCwc27 markedly improved AD-related pathological traits and ameliorated cognitive dysfunctions. Mechanistically, we excluded the miRNA decoy mechanism and foc2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Feb2026-05-09T22:38:31.973Z2025-02-19T03:25:46.601ZS-EPMC88170173450431410.1038/s41418-021-00865-1