Promoter-independent Transcription of Exogenous DNA and Subsequent RNA Splicing in Mammalian Cells

doi:10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2017-0183

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction of exogenous double stranded DNA into mammalian cells will undergo restructuring，rearrangement and other complex molecular and biochemical reaction. Few DNA molecules will randomly integrate into the host genome，namely the occurrence of horizontal gene transfer. However，it is unclear whether these exogenous DNA molecules can be recognized by cell machine and triggers the transcription in the circumstance of containing no special promoter. During the construction of circle RNA（circRNA）expression system，we discovered that promoter-independent transcription of exogenous DNA occurred，also RNA splicing was in accord with “GU-AG” in transcripts，and subsequently abnormal spliced molecules similar to the circRNA formed. Further studies showed that the promoter-independent transcription and splicing of exogenous DNA in mammalian cells were conservative. Conclusively，this work revealed a new destiny approach of exogenous DNA in the mammalian cells，which is of significance and applicability in studying the effects of exogenous DNA on host cells.

Key words: promoter-independent transcription, RNA splicing, circRNA, DNA transfection, alternative splicing

XU Wen, YANG Hua-yu, ZHENG Yong-chang. Promoter-independent Transcription of Exogenous DNA and Subsequent RNA Splicing in Mammalian Cells[J]. Biotechnology Bulletin, 2017, 33(8): 139-145.

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