Extrachromosomal Circular DNA: Category, Biogenesis, Recognition, and Functions

Xiukai Cao; Shan Wang; Ling Ge; Weibo Zhang; Jinlin Huang; Wei Sun

doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.693641

Extrachromosomal Circular DNA: Category, Biogenesis, Recognition, and Functions

Front Vet Sci. 2021 Sep 9:8:693641. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.693641. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Xiukai Cao¹, Shan Wang², Ling Ge², Weibo Zhang², Jinlin Huang³, Wei Sun^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
² College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
³ Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.

Abstract

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA), existing as double-stranded circular DNA, is derived and free from chromosomes. It is common in eukaryotes but has a strong heterogeneity in count, length, and origin. It has been demonstrated that eccDNA could function in telomere and rDNA maintenance, aging, drug resistance, tumorigenesis, and phenotypic variations of plants and animals. Here we review the current knowledge about eccDNA in category, biogenesis, recognition, and functions. We also provide perspectives on the potential implications of eccDNA in life science.

Keywords: eccDNA; livestock; microDNA; molecular marker; tumor.

Publication types

Review