Integration of Multi-omics Approach Reveals Circular RNAs Profile and Their Response to Hormone in Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) Integration of Multi-omics Approach Reveals Circular RNAs Profile and Their Response to Hormone in Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs with covalently closed structures, which have important functions in plants. However, their biogenesis, degradation, and function upon gibberellins (GA) and auxins (NAA) treatment remain unknown. This study systematically identified and characterized expression patterns, evolutionary conservation, genomic features, and internal structures of circRNAs using RNase R-treated libraries in moso bamboo seedlings. Moreover, we also investigated the biogenesis of circRNAs dependent on RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), the primary regulators of circularization for circRNAs that lack inverted complementary introns. We provided details for the function of circRNAs including regulating microRNA-related genes and modulating the alternative splicing of their linear counterparts. Importantly, we developed customized degradome sequencing to detect microRNA-mediated cleavage of circRNAs. Finally, we presented a comprehensive view of the participation of circRNAs in the regulatory route of hormone metabolism upon GA and NAA treatment of bamboo seedling. Collectively, our study uncovers featuresof circRNAs including characterization, biogenesis, function, and microRNA-mediated degradation of circRNAs in moso bamboo.