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Transcriptomics Analysis of Circular RNAs Differentially Expressed in Apoptotic HeLa Cells
Bilge Yaylak1, Ipek Erdogan1, Bunyamin Akgul1
1Non-Coding RNA Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Izmir, Turkey.
Frontiers in Genetics
|March 29, 2019
Summary
This study reveals circular RNAs (circRNAs) are differentially expressed during apoptosis, potentially regulating cell death by sponging microRNAs. This provides the first circRNA profile of apoptotic cells.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Apoptosis is crucial for homeostasis, regulated by genes and non-coding RNAs like microRNAs.
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) roles in apoptosis remain largely uninvestigated.
- A comprehensive profile of differentially expressed circRNAs in apoptosis is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize circRNAs differentially expressed during apoptosis.
- To investigate the potential mechanisms of circRNA involvement in apoptosis regulation.
- To establish the first circRNA expression profile in apoptotic cells.
Main Methods:
- Apoptosis was induced in HeLa cells using cisplatin, doxorubicin, TNF-α, and anti-Fas mAb.
- RNA sequencing was performed on RNAse R-treated total RNA to identify circRNAs.
- Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze coding potential, miRNA-binding sites, and target mRNAs.
Main Results:
- Identified differentially expressed circRNAs in apoptotic cells, some originating from known apoptosis-regulating genes.
- Validated candidate circRNAs using qPCR.
- Discovered potential circRNA-mediated sponging of apoptosis-regulating microRNAs.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first comprehensive circRNA profile of apoptotic cells.
- Dys-regulated circRNAs may play a role in apoptosis.
- CircRNAs may regulate apoptosis through miRNA sponging mechanisms.
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