Extrachromosomal Circular DNA (eccDNA): From Chaos to Function.

Abstract

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is a type of double-stranded circular DNA that is derived and free from chromosomes. It has a strong heterogeneity in sequence, length, and origin and has been identified in both normal and cancer cells. Although many studies suggested its potential roles in various physiological and pathological procedures including aging, telomere and rDNA maintenance, drug resistance, and tumorigenesis, the functional relevance of eccDNA remains to be elucidated. Recently, due to technological advancements, accumulated evidence highlighted that eccDNA plays an important role in cancers by regulating the expression of oncogenes, chromosome accessibility, genome replication, immune response, and cellular communications. Here, we review the features, biogenesis, physiological functions, potential functions in cancer, and research methods of eccDNAs with a focus on some open problems in the field and provide a perspective on how eccDNAs evolve specific functions out of the chaos in cells.

• Authors: Shanru Zuo, Yihu Yi, Chen Wang, Xueguang Li, Mingqing Zhou, Qiyao Peng, Junhua Zhou, Yide Yang, Quanyuan He
• Journal: Frontiers in cell and developmental biology (Front Cell Dev Biol) Vol. 9 Pg. 792555 ( 2021) ISSN: 2296-634X [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 35083218 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Zuo, Yi, Wang, Li, Zhou, Peng, Zhou, Yang and He.