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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells
Published on: April 4, 2016
The protective function of noncoding DNA in genome defense of eukaryotic male germ cells
Guo-Hua Qiu1, Cuiqin Huang1, Xintian Zheng1
1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for the Prevention & Control of Animal Infectious Diseases & Biotechnology; Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology, Fujian Province University; College of Life Sciences, Longyan University, Longyan 364012, Fujian, PR China.
Abstract:
Peripheral and abundant noncoding DNA has been hypothesized to protect the genome and the central protein-coding sequences against DNA damage in somatic genome. In the cytosol, invading exogenous nucleic acids may first be deactivated by small RNAs encoded by noncoding DNA via mechanisms similar to the prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas system. In the nucleus, the radicals generated by radiation in the cytosol, radiation energy and invading exogenous nucleic acids are absorbed, blocked and/or reduced by peripheral heterochromatin, and damaged DNA in heterochromatin is removed and excluded from the nucleus to the cytoplasm through nuclear pore complexes. To further strengthen the hypothesis, this review summarizes the experimental evidence supporting the protective function of noncoding DNA in the genome of male germ cells. Based on these data, this review provides evidence supporting the protective role of noncoding DNA in the genome defense of sperm genome through similar mechanisms to those of the somatic genome.
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