Identification of differentially expressed microRNAs during preadipocyte differentiation in Chinese crested duck

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are considered key players in the regulation of a broad range of biological processes. Specifically, miRNAs have been reported to play an important role in the process of adipogenesis. In this study, we constructed a model of adipogenesis by isolating preadipocytes (WCC) derived from adipose tissue and preadipocytes after 72 h differentiation (WCT) in vitro. Deep sequencing of miRNAs expressed in WCT and WCC cells was conducted; we identified 105 differentially expressed miRNA candidates (fifty up-regulated and fifty-five down-regulated). Among them, twelve were novel miRNAs, and ninety-three were previously known miRNAs. Furthermore, seven miRNAs were selected for expression confirmation by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR); the results showed that the differential expression of miRNAs between the two groups was consistent with our sequencing results. Of them, miR-223, miR-184-3p, and miR-10b-5 showed a strong correlation to adipogenesis. Using target prediction, we predicted that the 105 differentially expressed miRNAs targeted 4155 unique mRNAs. The prediction of targets of differentially expressed miRNAs revealed that the miRNAs participated in the regulation of multiple adipogenesis-related signalling pathways, including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signalling pathway, insulin signalling pathway, fatty acid biosynthesis, and fatty acid degradation. Overall, our findings provide a background for further research into miRNAs and lay a foundation for the prediction and analysis of miRNAs related to adipogenesis.