Mechanism of circRNA_4083 Circularization and Its Role in Regulating Cell Viability

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• RNA Biology

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and disease development.
• Understanding circRNAs in avian species is crucial for poultry health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the biogenesis, function, and regulatory network of a novel chicken circRNA, circRNA_4083.
• To explore its role in cellular viability and genomic stability.

Main Methods:

• Molecular characterization (Sanger sequencing, RNase R digestion, subcellular localization).
• Mechanistic studies using overexpression plasmids in DF-1 cells.
• Bioinformatic analysis to predict circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions (ceRNA network).

Main Results:

• circRNA_4083 is a stable, cytoplasmically localized, exon-derived circRNA from the MSH3 gene.
• Its circularization depends on reverse complementary sequences in flanking introns.
• circRNA_4083 inhibits apoptosis and enhances cellular viability.
• A ceRNA network involving 12 miRNAs and 2132 target genes was predicted, enriched in genomic stability pathways.

Conclusions:

• circRNA_4083 is a significant modulator of cellular viability and genomic integrity in chickens.
• It has potential implications for avian leukosis virus-J pathogenesis and breeding strategies.
• This research enhances understanding of circRNA regulatory mechanisms in avian systems.