The hallmarks of circRNA expression throughout the circadian cycle.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of highly stable RNA molecules with abundant expression in blood and different brain regions. CircRNA deregulation has been linked to psychiatric, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Many of these brain conditions occur in parallel or arguably due to aberrant wake/sleep cycle, which is why it is necessary study circRNA expression in the context of circadian rhythm. Here we study the hallmarks of circRNA expression in different brain regions and identify potential regulators of synaptic signaling and light entrainment.环状RNA（circular RNAs，circRNAs）是一类丰度颇高、稳定性极强的RNA分子，在血液及不同脑区中均有广泛表达。环状RNA的表达失调已被证实与精神疾病、神经退行性疾病及神经发育障碍相关。此类脑部疾病多与异常的觉醒-睡眠周期相伴发生，或可由该周期紊乱所引发，因此有必要在昼夜节律的背景下研究环状RNA的表达情况。本研究针对不同脑区中环状RNA的表达特征展开分析，并鉴定出突触信号传导与光同步化过程的潜在调控因子。