# Circular RNA ciR-02852: A novel physiological inhibitor of Porcine ovarian granulosa cell functions

## TL;DR

This study shows that ciR-02852 is a circular RNA that inhibits the function of pig ovarian cells, affecting their survival, growth, and hormone production.

## Contribution

The study is the first to demonstrate ciR-02852's role as a physiological inhibitor in porcine ovarian granulosa cells.

## Key findings

- ciR-02852 overexpression reduced cell viability and proliferation markers.
- ciR-02852 overexpression increased apoptosis and inhibited hormone secretion.
- Silencing ciR-02852 reversed these effects, promoting cell function.

## Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable epigenetic regulators of various biological processes, yet the functional role of ciR-02852 remains unknown. This study aimed to characterize the influence of ciR-02852 on the fundamental functions of porcine ovarian granulosa cells.

Cells were transfected with either a ciR-02852-overexpressing vector or an shRNA ciR-02852-knockdown vector. We assessed cell viability, proliferation markers (PCNA, cyclin B1), apoptosis markers (Bax, caspase-3, and DNA fragmentation), and the secretion of steroid (progesterone, testosterone, estradiol) and peptide (IGF-I, oxytocin) hormones via RT-qPCR, immunocytochemistry, TUNEL, and ELISA.

Overexpression of ciR-02852 significantly reduced cell viability and the expression of PCNA and cyclin B1. Conversely, it stimulated both cytoplasmic and nuclear apoptosis, as evidenced by increased Bax, caspase-3, and DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, ciR-02852 overexpression inhibited the release of all measured hormones. Silencing of ciR-02852 via shRNA yielded the opposite effects, promoting proliferation and hormone output while suppressing apoptosis.

These findings demonstrate for the first time that ciR-02852 acts as a potent physiological inhibitor of porcine ovarian cell functions. Our results indicate that ciR-02852 could be a multi-target regulator of folliculogenesis and hormone production, highlighting its potential as a diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for managing reproductive disorders and improving animal production.