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Expression profile analysis of microRNAs during hair follicle development in the sheep foetus

Han-Yu-Lu Yang1, Hua Yang2, Guo-Qing Shi2

  • 1a College of Animal Science and Technology , Shihezi University , Shihezi , China.

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry
|April 3, 2019
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals key microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in sheep fetal hair follicle (HF) development. Researchers identified specific miRNAs and pathways crucial for secondary hair follicle (SF) initiation around 85 days of gestation.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Genomics
  • Animal Science

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of hair follicle (HF) development and growth cycles.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms governing HF development in fetal sheep, particularly driven by miRNAs, are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of miRNA-driven hair follicle development in sheep fetuses.
  • To identify differentially expressed miRNAs and key signaling pathways during fetal sheep skin development.

Main Methods:

  • High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of miRNA expression profiles across 11 developmental stages (45-145 days) in fetal sheep skin.
  • Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) validation for selected miRNAs.
  • Tissue morphology and cluster analysis to determine key developmental time points.

Main Results:

  • Significant differential expression of 72 conserved, 44 novel, and 32 known miRNAs was observed.
  • Secondary hair follicle (SF) development was identified to initiate around 85 days of fetal development.
  • The prolactin signaling pathway and platelet activation were found to be important in SF development, with 10 miRNAs identified as potential candidates for SF initiation.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides a comprehensive miRNA expression profile during sheep fetal skin development.
  • Identified miRNAs and pathways offer insights into the molecular regulation of secondary hair follicle initiation.
  • The findings lay the groundwork for future research into controlling wool growth and quality in sheep.
Keywords:
Hair follicledevelopmenthigh-throughput sequencingmicroRNAs

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