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Published on: January 30, 2017
Expression Profiling of Circular RNAs in Early Pregnant Jianghuai Buffaloes
Qiuchen Liu1, Mengya Zhang1, Tenglong Guo2
1Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
Insights
Researchers identified 890 differentially expressed circular RNAs (DECs) in the blood of Jianghuai buffaloes during early pregnancy. These DECs are linked to crucial pathways for embryonic development and pregnancy establishment.
Area of Science:
- Animal reproductive biology
- Molecular biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known regulators of gene expression in various species.
- The role of circRNAs in early pregnancy in Jianghuai buffaloes remains unexplored.
- Understanding these molecules can provide insights into reproductive efficiency in livestock.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) in the blood of Jianghuai buffaloes during early pregnancy.
- To functionally annotate the identified DECs.
- To investigate the potential roles of DECs in pregnancy establishment.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from pregnant and non-pregnant Jianghuai buffaloes.
- circRNA expression profiling was performed using high-throughput sequencing.
- Bioinformatic analyses, including differential expression analysis and functional enrichment, were conducted.
- miRNA target prediction was utilized to assess potential regulatory mechanisms.
Main Results:
- A total of 890 DECs were identified between pregnant and non-pregnant groups.
- Over 80% of DECs were derived from exons, with 323 up-regulated and 567 down-regulated.
- Enrichment analysis highlighted the epidermal growth factor receptor-signaling pathway, crucial for embryonic development and pregnancy maintenance.
- Most DECs were predicted to function as miRNA sponges, indicating complex regulatory roles.
Conclusions:
- Distinct circRNA profiles exist between pregnant and non-pregnant Jianghuai buffaloes.
- Identified DECs are significantly associated with pathways involved in embryo implantation and pregnancy establishment.
- circRNAs represent potential biomarkers and targets for improving reproductive outcomes in Jianghuai buffaloes.
Abstract:
Circular RNA (circRNA) is expressed in cells and tissues of several species. However, the expression of circRNAs in the blood of Jianghuai buffaloes during early pregnancy has not been reported. In this study, we identified the DECs in the blood of Jianghuai buffaloes and annotated the functions of these DECs. The results showed that there were 890 DECs between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, of which more than 80% were exon-derived circRNAs, including 323 up-regulated circRNAs and 567 down-regulated circRNAs. Enrichment analysis revealed that DECs were mainly enriched in the epidermal growth factor receptor-signaling pathway important for embryonic development and pregnancy maintenance. In addition, most DECs have multiple miRNA targets, suggesting that these DECs have the potential to function as miRNA sponges. In conclusion, several DECs are present between pregnant and non-pregnant Jianghuai buffaloes, and these DECs are associated with embryo implantation and pregnancy establishment.
