Circular RNAs Are Regulators of Diverse Animal Transcriptomes: One Health Perspective

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Animal Science

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are formed from precursor mRNA through back-splicing.
• They function as competing endogenous RNAs by sequestering microRNAs and RNA-binding proteins.
• circRNAs play vital roles in various physiological processes and stress responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging knowledge on circRNA activity across diverse animal species.
• To highlight the significance of circRNAs in animal health and productivity.
• To connect circRNA research to the One Health vision.

Main Methods:

• Genome-wide characterization of circRNAs in various animal clades.
• Integration of existing research on circRNA functions and mechanisms.
• Literature review of studies on circRNA regulation in skeletal muscle, lactation, ovulation, brain development, and stress responses.

Main Results:

• circRNAs regulate critical biological processes including skeletal muscle development, lactation, ovulation, and brain development.
• They are involved in host responses to infections and metabolic stress.
• circRNA expression patterns vary across different animal species and tissues.

Conclusions:

• circRNAs are key regulators of gene expression with broad physiological impacts in animals.
• Understanding circRNAs offers translational knowledge for improving food animal health and productivity.
• circRNA research is integral to achieving One Health goals.