Changes in Transcriptome-Associated Co-Expression Profile of Embryonic External Ear Development After Prkra Gene...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Genomics

Background:

• External ear development in mice is a complex process influenced by genetic factors.
• Understanding gene expression changes is crucial for identifying developmental defects.
• The Prkra gene plays a role in mammalian development, but its specific function in ear morphogenesis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whole transcriptome changes during mouse external ear embryonic development in a Prkra Little-ear mutant model.
• To perform comprehensive association analyses including lncRNA, mRNA, miRNA, and circRNA.
• To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms governing external ear development.

Main Methods:

• Generation of a Prkra Little-ear mouse model.
• Collection of outer ear tissues from mouse embryos at embryonic day 15.5 and 17.5.
• Whole transcriptome sequencing and association analyses (lncRNA-mRNA, lncRNA-miRNA, miRNA-mRNA, circRNA-mRNA, and multi-molecule analyses).

Main Results:

• Significant differences in whole transcriptome gene expression were observed in the Prkra Little-ear mouse embryo external ear development compared to wild-type.
• Association analyses identified complex regulatory networks involving lncRNA, miRNA, circRNA, and mRNA.
• These findings indicate that Prkra mutation impacts multiple layers of gene regulation during ear development.

Conclusions:

• The development of the mouse external ear is regulated by the whole transcriptome.
• Prkra mutation leads to distinct gene expression patterns and regulatory networks during ear development.
• This study provides a novel framework for understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying external ear development.