Dynamic m⁶A Modification Landscape During the Egg Laying Process of Chickens.

Area of Science:

• Epigenetics
• Molecular Biology
• Animal Science

Background:

• RNA N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is a key reversible epigenetic modification in mRNA.
• m⁶A is known to regulate follicular development, but its role in chicken ovaries and egg production is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of RNA m⁶A methylation in the ovarian tissue of high- and low-yield Gushi chickens.
• To identify differential m⁶A modification patterns and related genes affecting egg production.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive analysis of m⁶A transcriptome profiles in Gushi chickens at 43 weeks of age.
• Identification and comparison of m⁶A peaks between high- and low-yield groups.
• KEGG pathway analysis to identify enriched biological pathways.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in m⁶A modification were observed between high- and low-yield chicken groups.
• m⁶A peak levels positively correlated with gene expression, suggesting a regulatory role.
• 2241 differential m⁶A peaks and seven candidate genes related to egg laying were identified, enriched in ovary development pathways.

Conclusions:

• The study presents the first m⁶A modification map of Gushi chicken ovarian tissue.
• Differences in egg-laying performance may be attributed to RNA methylation affecting egg-related gene expression.
• These findings offer new insights into m⁶A methylation's regulatory mechanisms in chicken egg production.