Analyses of circRNA expression throughout circadian rhythm reveal a strong link between Cdr1as and light-induced phase shifts in the SCN

Abstract

Cdr1as is a conserved circular RNA (circRNA) enriched in the CNS and important for maintaining brain homeostasis. The loss of Cdr1as results in aberrant synaptic transmission and deregulation of stress response and circadian clock genes. However, it is not known whether the expression of Cdr1as or circRNAs, in general, follows a circadian pattern in different tissues. Here, using newly generated and public RNA-Seq data, we monitor circRNA expression throughout circadian rhythm in various mouse brain regions. We demonstrate that Cdr1as, despite its stable character, has a highly dynamic expression during the circadian cycle in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Cdr1as is one of the highest expressed RNAs in a cluster associated with light-induced synaptic transmission and phase shift in the SCN. Further, we identified that another brain enriched circRNA, mbl, is also substantially deregulated upon light induction in the fly head. Our study highlights the potential impact of abundant and conserved circRNAs on maintaining a healthy circadian cycle across species.