Identification and characterization of circular RNAs in rapid atrial pacing dog atrial tissue.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as novel molecules of interest in gene regulation as other noncoding RNAs, and participating in the process of many diseases. However, the expression and functions of circRNAs in Rapid atrial pacing (RAP) dog atrial tissue still unknown. 12 canines were randomly assigned to control and pacing group. RAP at 500 beats per minute was maintained 14 days in the pacing group. The expression characterization of circRNAs were revealed by high-throughput sequencing. We totally predicted 15,990 circRNAs in dog atrial tissues. Moreover, we found 146 differentially expressed circRNAs between control and RAP dogs. Five circRNAs were selected for subsequent RT-PCR validation, and four circRNAs confirmed with the high throughput sequencing analysis. GO analysis showed that the differentially expressed circRNAs might involve in the process of "structural constituent of cytoskeleton, ion channel activity". We explored the circRNA-miRNA interaction network, and found extensive interaction among differentially expressed circRNAs and AF related miRNAs and mRNAs. Our work firstly identified the characterization of circRNAs in the dog atrial, and revealed the differentially expressed circRNAs in the RAP dog, this might lay a solid foundation on the function of circRNA in the mechanisms of AF.

Shangguan W ，Liang X ，Shi W ，Liu T ，Wang M ，Li G ... -  《-》

Identification of atrial fibrillation-related circular RNAs and constructing the integrative regulatory network of circular RNAs, microRNAs and mRNAs by bioinformatics analysis.

Zhai Z ，Qin T ，Liu F ，Han L ，Zhou H ，Li Q ，Xia Z ，Li J ... -  《-》

Identification and characterization of circular RNAs in atrial appendage of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as a novel type of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) of interest in gene regulation, especially for its vital function underlying many diseases. Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrythmia. However, the expression spectrum and function of circRNAs in atrial appendage of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has seldomly been investigated. Human atrial appendage tissues were acquired during cardiac surgery, which were divided into the AF group and the Sinus rhythm (SR) group. The expression characterization of circRNAs of two groups was revealed by high-throughput sequencing. The dysregulated circRNAs were identified and analyzed by bioinformatics methods, and further validated by realtime PCR. A total 18109 circRNAs in human atrial appendage tissues were targeted. Among them, 147 differentially expressed circRNAs (102 up-regulated and 45 down-regulated) were found between AF group and SR group. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that many mRNAs transcribed from the host genes of altered circRNAs were implicated in regulation of sequence-specific DNA binding transcription factor activity, as well as nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism pathways. Analysis of the association between differently expressed circRNA and miRNA were explored, which revealed an ample interaction. Our study firstly revealed the expression spectrum of circRNAs in both left and right atrial appendage of patients with or without AF. Differentially expressed circRNAs in the atrial appendage were also identified, analyzed and validated. The results of this study may provide novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for AF.

Zhang Y ，Shen H ，Wang P ，Min J ，Yu Y ，Wang Q ，Wang S ，Xi W ，Nguyen QM ，Xiao J ，Wang Z ... -  《-》

Identification and characterization of circular RNAs in the silkworm midgut following Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus infection.

Hu X ，Zhu M ，Zhang X ，Liu B ，Liang Z ，Huang L ，Xu J ，Yu L ，Li K ，Zar MS ，Xue R ，Cao G ，Gong C ... -  《-》

Screening and functional analysis of differentially expressed lncRNAs in rapid atrial pacing dog atrial tissue.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most commonly sustained arrhythmias in clinical practice. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are gene regulatory elements involved in the development of several diseases. We aimed to explore the expression characteristics of lncRNAs associated with AF. We randomly assigned 12 adult healthy mongrel dogs into a control group and an atrial pacing group. Atrial pacing stimulation was performed at a high frequency of 500 beats per min for 14 consecutive days in the atrial pacing group. HE and Masson staining were used to detect rapid atrial pacing induced atrial fibrosis. Total RNA extraction was performed on dog atrial tissues and was used for high-throughput sequencing of lncRNAs. A total of 10,310 lncRNAs were detected, and 33 differentially expressed lncRNAs were screened. Among them, 19 lncRNAs were upregulated in the atrial pacing group, and 14 lncRNAs were downregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) classification, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and interaction networks showed that AF-related lncRNAs participate in the regulation of AF in diverse biological processes, cellular components, molecular functions, signaling pathways, and complex interactions with miRNAs and mRNAs. Five differentially expressed lncRNAs were selected for RT-PCR validation, and the verification results were consistent with the results of lncRNA sequencing. In summary, our study enhances our understanding of the biological functions of AF-related lncRNAs by screening and analyzing differentially expressed lncRNAs, and the results help to enrich the theoretical basis for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Shangguan W ，Wang L ，Cheng R ，Liu T ，Cai J ，Zhang B ，Liu E ，Liang X ... -  《-》