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Integrated Transcriptome Analysis of miRNAs and mRNAs in the Skeletal Muscle of Wuranke Sheep
Yueying Yun1,2, Rihan Wu3, Xige He1
1College of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regarded as important regulators in skeletal muscle development. To reveal the regulatory roles of miRNAs and their target mRNAs underlying the skeletal muscle development of Wuranke sheep, we investigated the miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in the biceps femoris of these sheep at the fetal (3 months of gestation) and 3- and 15-month-old postnatal stages. Consequently, a total of 1195 miRNAs and 24,959 genes were identified. Furthermore, 474, 461, and 54 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and 6783, 7407, and 78 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected among three comparative groups. Functional analysis demonstrated that the target mRNAs of the DEMs were enriched in multiple pathways related to muscle development. Moreover, the interactions among several predicted miRNA-mRNA pairs (oar-miR-133-HDAC1, oar-miR-1185-5p-MYH1/HADHA/OXCT1, and PC-5p-3703_578-INSR/ACTG1) that potentially affect skeletal muscle development were verified using dual-luciferase reporter assays. In this study, we identified the miRNA and mRNA differences in the skeletal muscle of Wuranke sheep at different developmental stages and revealed that a series of candidate miRNA-mRNA pairs may act as modulators of muscle development. These results will contribute to future studies on the function of miRNAs and their target mRNAs during skeletal muscle development in Wuranke sheep.
Insights
This study reveals key microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involved in Wuranke sheep skeletal muscle development. Specific miRNA-mRNA interactions were identified as potential regulators of muscle growth.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics and Genomics
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of skeletal muscle development.
- Understanding miRNA and mRNA roles is vital for improving livestock muscle traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in Wuranke sheep skeletal muscle during development.
- To identify regulatory miRNA-mRNA interactions affecting muscle growth.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing was performed on biceps femoris muscle at fetal, 3-month, and 15-month postnatal stages.
- Differential expression analysis identified significant miRNAs and genes.
- Bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to predict and validate miRNA-mRNA interactions.
Main Results:
- 1195 miRNAs and 24,959 genes were identified.
- Numerous differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and genes (DEGs) were detected across developmental stages.
- Several candidate miRNA-mRNA pairs, including oar-miR-133-HDAC1 and oar-miR-1185-5p-MYH1, were validated as potential regulators of muscle development.
Conclusions:
- This study identified stage-specific miRNA and mRNA expression patterns in Wuranke sheep skeletal muscle.
- Candidate miRNA-mRNA pairs were revealed as potential modulators of skeletal muscle development in this breed.
