摘要：SummaryPlasma cell-free DNA is being widely explored as a biomarker for clinical screening. Currently, methods are optimized for the extraction and detection of double-stranded mononucleosomal cell-free DNA of ∼160bp in length. We introduce uscfDNA-seq, a single-stranded cell-free DNA next-generation sequencing pipeline, which bypasses previous limitations to reveal a population of ultrashort single-stranded cell-free DNA in human plasma. This species has a modal size of 50nt and is distinctly separate from mononucleosomal cell-free DNA. Treatment with single-stranded and double-stranded specific nucleases suggests that ultrashort cell-free DNA is primarily single-stranded. It is distributed evenly across chromosomes and has a similar distribution profile over functional elements as the genome, albeit with an enrichment over promoters, exons, and introns, which may be suggestive of a terminal state of genome degradation. The examination of this cfDNA species could reveal new features of cell death pathways or it can be used for cell-free DNA biomarker discovery.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Plasma contains ultrashort cell-free DNA alongside mononucleosomal cell-free DNA•The ultrashort cell-free DNA is primarily single-stranded at around 50nt in length•Ultrashort cell-free DNA sequences are enriched in promoters, exons, and intronsBiological sciences; Molecular biology; Molecular biology experimental approach; Cell biology; Biological sciences research methodologies; Biology experimental methods
