CircRNA AIDA Regulates Development of Bovine Myoblast via Binding miR-29a

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of skeletal muscle development, yet the functions of many muscle-derived circRNAs remain uncharacterized. In this study, we identified a novel circRNA, circAIDA, formed by exons 2 to 6 of the <i>AIDA</i> gene, based on bovine muscle sequencing data. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that circAIDA acts as a molecular sponge for miR-29a, thereby relieving the repression of its downstream targets, <i>AKT3</i> and <i>CLCN2</i>. Functionally, circAIDA promotes bovine myoblast proliferation while inhibiting apoptosis and differentiation in vitro. Furthermore, experiments in vivo suggested circAIDA could attenuate regeneration of skeletal muscle in mice. In brief, we discovered a novel circAIDA/miR-29a interaction that regulates bovine myogenesis, providing new insights into the molecular networks controlling skeletal muscle development.