Integrating Transcriptomic and ChIP-Seq Reveals Important Regulatory Regions Modulating Gene Expression in Myometrium...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Molecular Endocrinology
• Genomics

Background:

• The myometrium's contraction and steroidogenic activities are vital for embryo implantation.
• Molecular mechanisms governing myometrial function in pigs remain largely uncharacterized.
• The myometrium comprises inner circular muscle (CM) and outer longitudinal muscle (LM) layers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the distinct molecular mechanisms of pig uterine CM and LM layers during early pregnancy.
• To investigate the role of epigenetic modifications in regulating gene expression within these layers.
• To identify implantation-dependent transcriptional signatures in the CM layer.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptomic analysis of CM and LM samples from pregnant and cyclic gilts at different stages.
• Genome-wide profiling of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) and H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3).
• Characterization of genomic regions associated with gene expression in uterine muscle layers.

Main Results:

• LM layer genes are primarily linked to contraction pathways, while CM layer genes are involved in immune responses during early pregnancy.
• Transcriptional signatures in the CM layer are significantly influenced by implantation status.
• Identification of regulatory genomic regions associated with gene expression in both CM and LM layers.

Conclusions:

• Distinct functional roles of CM and LM layers in pig uterine physiology during implantation.
• Epigenetic modifications play a role in regulating gene expression crucial for implantation.
• The identified regulatory regions offer insights into modulating gene expression in uterine muscle layers for successful implantation.