CircKDM5B sponges miR-128 to regulate porcine blastocyst development by modulating trophectoderm barrier function

Area of Science:

• * Developmental Biology
• * Molecular Biology
• * Genetics

Background:

• * Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression in mammals.
• * Their specific roles in mammalian preimplantation embryo development are not well understood.
• * Understanding these roles is crucial for reproductive biology and developmental research.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate the function of circRNAs in porcine early embryo development.
• * To identify specific circRNAs involved in regulating key developmental processes.
• * To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying circRNA-mediated regulation in embryos.

Main Methods:

• * Screening of circRNAs in porcine embryos using integrated sequencing data analysis.
• * Functional studies involving circRNA knockdown and microRNA inhibitor injection.
• * Assessment of blastocyst formation, cell counts, and tight junction integrity.

Main Results:

• * Identified circKDM5B, derived from histone demethylase KDM5B, as highly expressed in porcine embryos.
• * circKDM5B knockdown significantly impaired blastocyst formation, reduced cell numbers, and disrupted tight junction assembly.
• * circKDM5B acts as a sponge for miR-128, rescuing developmental defects upon inhibitor injection.

Conclusions:

• * circKDM5B plays a vital role in porcine early embryonic development.
• * It functions as a molecular sponge for miR-128, modulating gene expression.
• * This regulation is critical for cell proliferation and the establishment of epithelial integrity via tight junctions.