Circle the Wagons: Circular RNAs Control Innate Immunity

Circular RNAs are generated at low levels from many protein-coding genes. Liu et al. now reveal that many of these transcripts bind and inhibit the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-dependent kinase PKR. Upon viral infection, circular RNAs are globally degraded to release PKR, which becomes activated to aid in the immune response. Circular RNAs are generated at low levels from many protein-coding genes. Liu et al. now reveal that many of these...