环状RNA及其在畜禽中的研究进展
Research Advance of Circular RNA in Livestock and Poultry

环状RNA（circular RNA，circRNA）是一类新发现的内源性非编码RNA，是一种由共价键形成闭环结构的RNA分子。circRNA主要来源于外显子或内含子，在生物体内广泛存在，具有种类丰富、保守性强、细胞核组织特异性、稳定存在等特点。目前研究表明，circRNA可通过多种途径发挥作用，在神经发育、免疫、畜禽经济性状调控等过程中扮演重要角色，具有重要的研究价值。对circRNA的特征、形成机制、主要功能及其在畜禽中的研究进展进行综述，旨在为circRNA在畜禽的研究提供一定的理论依据与技术指导。
Circular RNA (circRNA) is a group of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) characterized by the presence of a covalent bond linking 3′ and 5′ ends produced by backsplicing. The circRNAs mainly arise from exons or introns, and is widely existed in all kinds of organisms which are abundant, conserved and stable. The related researches showed that circRNA performs its function through various channels. In addition, circRNA also plays a role in neurodevelopment, immune and regulation of economic characters of livestock, its significant value was also indicated. This paper summarized the origin, characteristic, formation mechanism, main function and research advance of circRNA in livestock and poutry. The study in the paper will provide theoretical basis and technical guidance for better understanding and research of circRNA in livestock and poultry.