Discoveries of extrachromosomal circles of DNA in normal and tumor cells

T Paulsen, P Kumar, MM Koseoglu, A Dutta - Trends in Genetics, 2018 - cell.com
T Paulsen, P Kumar, MM Koseoglu, A Dutta
Trends in Genetics, 2018cell.com
While the vast majority of cellular DNA in eukaryotes is contained in long linear strands in
chromosomes, we have long recognized some exceptions like mitochondrial DNA, plasmids
in yeasts, and double minutes (DMs) in cancer cells where the DNA is present in
extrachromosomal circles. In addition, specialized extrachromosomal circles of DNA
(eccDNA) have been noted to arise from repetitive genomic sequences like telomeric DNA
or rDNA. Recently eccDNA arising from unique (nonrepetitive) DNA have been discovered …
While the vast majority of cellular DNA in eukaryotes is contained in long linear strands in chromosomes, we have long recognized some exceptions like mitochondrial DNA, plasmids in yeasts, and double minutes (DMs) in cancer cells where the DNA is present in extrachromosomal circles. In addition, specialized extrachromosomal circles of DNA (eccDNA) have been noted to arise from repetitive genomic sequences like telomeric DNA or rDNA. Recently eccDNA arising from unique (nonrepetitive) DNA have been discovered in normal and malignant cells, raising interesting questions about their biogenesis, function and clinical utility. Here, we review recent results and future directions of inquiry on these new forms of eccDNA.
cell.com