Constructs and methods for preparing circular RNA

Abstract

The present application provides linear RNA precursors and constructs for preparing circular RNAs (circRNAs) comprising an effector RNA sequence, such as a coding RNA sequence. In some embodiments, the linear RNA comprises from the 5′ end to the 3′ end: (a) a first portion of an RNA element (e.g., an IRES), (b) an effector RNA sequence, and (c) a second portion of the RNA element, wherein the first and the second portions of the RNA element associate with each other to form a double-stranded region of at least 4 basepairs long, wherein 5′ end of the first portion of the RNA element and 3′ end of the second portion of the RNA element form a nick in the double-stranded region, and wherein an RNA ligase can ligate the nick. Also provided are methods of preparing circRNAs, circRNAs prepared thereof, and methods of using the circRNAs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.