Efficient circRNA Detection Using the Processive Reverse Transcriptase uMRT.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed RNA molecules known for their increased stability compared to linear RNAs. Synthetic circRNAs are being developed as RNA therapeutics, while natural circRNAs are being investigated for their biological roles in eukaryotes and their potential as disease biomarkers. Consequently, the accurate detection and validation of circRNAs is crucial for advancements in both fundamental RNA research and biotechnological applications. Common methods for circRNA validation involve RT-PCR using divergent primers, followed by sequencing across the circRNA junction. However, most described methods are high-throughput approaches that require time-consuming RNA processing steps, and they are unable to detect highly structured circRNAs. Additionally, methods for low-throughput sequencing of small circRNAs (<150 nt) require cloning prior to sequencing. A simplified protocol for the validation of circRNA sequences irrespective of structure, sequence complexity, and length has not yet been described. In this method, we describe an improved RT-PCR protocol for circRNA detection by using UltraMarathonRT