Expression data of circRNAs from the fetal rats with anorectal malformations

Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are among the most common congenital terminal digestive tract malformations. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel type of endogenous non-coding RNAs, play roles in the development of the digestive system; however, their contributions to the pathogenesis of ARMs are not well-established. Many dysregulated circRNAs as the primary factor could play an important role in the development of anorectum. We used high-throughput sequencing to reveal the regulatory mechanism of gene expression underlying the development of anorectal malformations. These results provide original insight into the roles of circRNAs in ARMs and provide a valuable resource for further analyses of molecular mechanisms and signaling networks. We explored the mechanism underlying ethylenethiourea (ETU)-induced ARMs by profiling circRNA expression via RNA-seq. Nine pregnant rats were gavage-fed a single dose of 125 mg/kg 1% ETU (ARM group) on gestational day 10 (GD10), and another 9 pregnant rats received a similar dose of saline (normal group) as a control. Embryos were obtained by cesarean section on the key time-points of anorectal development (GD14, GD15, and GD16). Hindgut samples isolated from the fetuses were evaluated by high-throughput sequencing.