Identification of circular RNA BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 as a novel biomarker for coronary artery disease and the functional discovery of BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 based on peripheral blood mononuclear cells: a case control study

BACKGROUND: BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 is a novel circRNA and contains conserved binding sites with RNA-binding proteins. However, BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 has not been fully studied in coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to clarify the diagnostic value and the possible functional role of BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 in CAD. METHODS: A total of 276 human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were employed. The circularization of BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 was verified via Sanger sequencing. The expression level of BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 in CAD samples and control individuals was analysed via qRT–PCR. The diagnostic potential of BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 was evaluated using Spearman’s analysis, univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis, and receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. ChIRP-MS was performed to directly explore the proteins bound to BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563. Bioinformatic analysis was conducted to investigate the possible functions and interactions of proteins bound to BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563. RESULTS: In the present study, BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 was verified as a circular RNA in the PBMCs of CAD patients. The expression level of BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 in the CAD group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The area under the ROC curve was 0.690. ChIRP-MS found seven proteins that were directly bound to BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563. Bioinformatic analysis of these seven proteins showed that the mitophagy and DNA repair pathways were enriched. These proteins interacted with each other to a certain extent. CONCLUSION: BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 may be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of CAD and may influence the initiation and progression of CAD. These studies may reveal new possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of CAD. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12014-022-09374-w.