Small extrachromosomal circular DNAs, microDNA, produce short regulatory RNAs that suppress gene expression independent of canonical promoters.

ABSTRACT: Interest in extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) molecules has increased recently because of their widespread presence in normal cells across every species ranging from yeast to humans, their increased levels in cancer cells and their overlap with oncogenic and drug-resistant genes. However, the majority of eccDNA (microDNA) in mammalian tissues and cell lines are too small to carry protein coding genes. We have tested functional capabilities of microDNA by creating artificial microDNA molecules mimicking known microDNA sequences and have discovered that they express functional small regulatory RNA including microRNA and novel si-like RNA. MicroDNA are transcribed in vitro and in vivo independent of a canonical promoter sequence. MicroDNA that carry miRNA genes form transcripts that are

SUBMITTER: Paulsen T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6511871 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature