The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 43 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The circular RNA circBIRC6 participates in the molecular circuitry controlling human pluripotency
Open accessAbstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are abundant in the human transcriptome. However, their involvement in biological processes, including pluripotency, remains mostly undescribed. We identified a subset of circRNAs that are enriched in undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and demonstrated that two, circBIRC6 and circCORO1C, are functionally associated with the pluripotent state. Mechanistically, we found that circBIRC6 is enriched in the AGO2 complex and directly interacts with microRNAs, miR-34a, and miR-145, which are known to modulate target genes that maintain pluripotency. Correspondingly, circBIRC6 attenuates the downregulation of these target genes and suppresses hESC differentiation. We further identified hESC-enriched splicing factors (SFs) and demonstrated that circBIRC6 biogenesis in hESCs is promoted by the SF ESRP1, whose expression is controlled by the core pluripotency-associated factors, OCT4 and NANOG. Collectively, our data suggest that circRNA serves as a microRNA "sponge" to regulate the molecular circuitry, which modulates human pluripotency and differentiation.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Figures








Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“In this way, modulation of MRE load with competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), such as with circular RNAs (circRNAs) (96), can act to sequester miRISC from target mRNA, leading to derepression of target mRNA (97).”
From Overview of MicroRNA Biogenesis, Mechanisms of Actions, and Circulation (2018) · cites this paper as [97]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
An integrated encyclopedia of DNA elements in the human genome
The ENCODE Project Consortium (2012) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature11247 · Cited by 18,072
Circular RNAs are a large class of animal RNAs with regulatory potency
Memczak, S., Jens, M., Elefsinioti, A., Torti, F., Krueger, J., Rybak, A., Maier, L., Mackowiak, S. D., Gregersen, L. H., Munschauer, M., et al. (2013) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature11928 · Cited by 7,990
Natural RNA circles function as efficient microRNA sponges
Hansen, T. B., Jensen, T. I., Clausen, B. H., Bramsen, J. B., Finsen, B., Damgaard, C. K., & Kjems, J. (2013) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature11993 · Cited by 7,985
Circular RNAs are abundant, conserved, and associated with ALU repeats
Jeck, W. R., Sorrentino, J. A., Wang, K., Slevin, M. K., Burd, C. E., Liu, J., Marzluff, W. F., & Sharpless, N. E. (2013) · RNA · doi:10.1261/rna.035667.112 · Cited by 4,388
circRNA biogenesis competes with pre-mRNA splicing
Ashwal-Fluss, R., Meyer, M., Pamudurti, N. R., Ivanov, A., Bartok, O., Hanan, M., Evantal, N., Memczak, S., Rajewsky, N., & Kadener, S. (2014) · Molecular Cell · doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2014.08.019 · Cited by 3,083
The role of site accessibility in microRNA target recognition
Kertesz, M., Iovino, N., Unnerstall, U., Gaul, U., & Segal, E. (2007) · Nature Genetics · doi:10.1038/ng2135 · Cited by 2,460
Circular RNAs in the Mammalian Brain Are Highly Abundant, Conserved, and Dynamically Expressed
Rybak-Wolf, A., Stottmeister, C., Glažar, P., Jens, M., Pino, N., Giusti, S., Hanan, M., Behm, M., Bartok, O., Ashwal-Fluss, R., et al. (2015) · Molecular Cell · doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2015.03.027 · Cited by 2,423
The RNA Binding Protein Quaking Regulates Formation of circRNAs
Conn, S. J., Pillman, K. A., Toubia, J., Conn, V. M., Salmanidis, M., Phillips, C. A., Roslan, S., SCHREIBER, A. W., Gregory, P. A., & Goodall, G. J. (2015) · Cell · doi:10.1016/j.cell.2015.02.014 · Cited by 2,205
Zheng, Q., Bao, C., Guo, W., Li, S., Chen, J., Chen, B., Luo, Y., Lyu, D., Li, Y., Shi, G., et al. (2016) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/ncomms11215 · Cited by 2,041
Complementary Sequence-Mediated Exon Circularization
Zhang, X.-O., Wang, H.-B., Zhang, Y., Lu, X., Chen, L.-L., & Yang, L. (2014) · Cell · doi:10.1016/j.cell.2014.09.001 · Cited by 1,999
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 301–346 of 346
Long, F., Lin, Z., Li, L., Ma, M., Lu, Z., Jing, L., Li, X., & Lin, C. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.13710833
Zhao, X., Sun, W., Guo, B., & Cui, L. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20486828
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234968
Liu, Z., Wang, T., She, Y., Wu, K., Gu, S., Li, L., Dong, C., Chen, C., & Zhou, Y. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15982385
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308057
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308000
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234983
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308045
Liu, Z., Wang, T., She, Y., Wu, K., Gu, S., Li, L., Dong, C., Chen, C., & Zhou, Y. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15982370
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308063
Rengganaten, V., Huang, C.-J., Wang, M.-L., Chien, Y., Tsai, P.-H., Lan, Y.-T., Ong, H. T., Chiou, S.-H., & Choo, K. B. (2023) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.24546899
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308039
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308024
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308018
Liu, Z., Wang, T., She, Y., Wu, K., Gu, S., Li, L., Dong, C., Chen, C., & Zhou, Y. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15982373
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308021
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234974
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308051
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234977
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308030
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234953
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234965
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308012
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234980
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234950
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234959
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234947
Rengganaten, V., Huang, C.-J., Wang, M.-L., Chien, Y., Tsai, P.-H., Lan, Y.-T., Ong, H. T., Chiou, S.-H., & Choo, K. B. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.24547035
Liu, Z., Wang, T., She, Y., Wu, K., Gu, S., Li, L., Dong, C., Chen, C., & Zhou, Y. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15982379
Liu, Z., Wang, T., She, Y., Wu, K., Gu, S., Li, L., Dong, C., Chen, C., & Zhou, Y. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15982358
Yin, H., Qin, H., Yang, L., Chen, M., Yang, Y., Zhang, W., Hao, J., Lu, Q., Shi, J., Zhuang, J., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.20308006
Rengganaten, V., Huang, C.-J., Wang, M.-L., Chien, Y., Tsai, P.-H., Lan, Y.-T., Ong, H. T., Chiou, S.-H., & Choo, K. B. (2023) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26638215
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234971
Liu, Z., Wang, T., She, Y., Wu, K., Gu, S., Li, L., Dong, C., Chen, C., & Zhou, Y. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15982376
Xia, Y., Lv, J., Jiang, T., Li, B., Li, Y., He, Z., Xuan, Z., Sun, G., Wang, S., Li, Z., et al. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14234962
Liu, Z., Wang, T., She, Y., Wu, K., Gu, S., Li, L., Dong, C., Chen, C., & Zhou, Y. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15982388
Rengganaten, V., Huang, C.-J., Wang, M.-L., Chien, Y., Tsai, P.-H., Lan, Y.-T., Ong, H. T., Chiou, S.-H., & Choo, K. B. (2023) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26638212
CircRNAs: Novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for diseases of the central nervous system
Cui, J., Shen, L., & Han, B. (2025) · Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports · doi:10.1016/j.bbrep.2025.102394
RNAa-Mediated Gene Activation in the Regulation of Stem Cell Fate
Lee, H., Moon, J., & Kim, S.-K. (2025) · Biomolecules · doi:10.3390/biom16010005
Sun, Y., Yin, Z., Huang, Y., Chen, Y., Yin, H., Zhang, Y., & Jin, W. (2026) · Biochemical Genetics · doi:10.1007/s10528-026-11343-z
Ai, M., Li, F., Huang, Z., Liu, C., Liao, H., Huang, X., Li, Z., Wang, B., Zhang, C., Xu, A., et al. (2026) · International Journal of Biological Macromolecules · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.151212
Liu, J., Sun, B., Cao, P., & Zhou, S. (2026) · Biochemical Genetics · doi:10.1007/s10528-026-11389-z
Xu, J., Chen, B., Zhao, J., Zhang, H., Wang, Z., Huang, S., & Li, Y. (2026) · International Journal of Biological Macromolecules · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152563
11- Circular RNAs in Carcinogenesis
Al-Janabi, I. I. (2026) · Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences · doi:10.35516/jjps.v19i3.3988
CircACVR2A (2–4) regulates stem cell pluripotency by uncoupling CDK-activating kinase functions
Webb, S., Conn, V. M., van Battum, E. Y., Kirk, K., Geiger, A., Singh, S., Gabryelska, M., Roach, M. J., Marri, S., Lin, H., et al. (2026) · Nucleic Acids Research · doi:10.1093/nar/gkag964
Metadata
- Authors
- Yu, C.-Y., Li, T.-C., Wu, Y.-Y., Yeh, C.-H., Chiang, W., Chuang, C.-Y., & Kuo, H.-C.
- Affiliations
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica (TW)
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica (TW)
- National Taiwan University (TW)
- Corresponding author
- Kuo, Hung-Chih
- Venue
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2017-10-27
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1149-1149
- ISSN
- 2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5658440
- OpenAlex
- W2766512489
- Cited by
- 336
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 63 · 2021: 72 · 2020: 50 · 2019: 43 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 13.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Academia Sinica (AS-104-TP-B09, 105-0210-01-13-01, AS‐103‐TP‐B10)
- Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST103-2321-B001-065)
- National Health Research Institutes (NHRI-EX104-10320SI, EX104)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Circular RNAs in diseases
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA Research and Splicing
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Keywords
- circular RNA, human embryonic stem cells, miR-34a, miR-145, microRNA sponge, ESRP1, splicing factors, Oct4, Nanog, cell differentiation, circRNA biogenesis
- MeSH terms
- Nanog Homeobox Protein, RNA, Circular, Animals, Cell Differentiation, Exoribonucleases, Humans, Mice, Inbred ICR, Microfilament Proteins, RNA, Gene Expression Profiling, MicroRNAs, Pluripotent Stem Cells, Octamer Transcription Factor-3, Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins, Mice, Embryonic Stem Cells, Argonaute Proteins
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review