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Published on: March 1, 2022
Novel miR-290 regulates melanogenesis in Liancheng white ducks via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Qingwu Xin1, Wenli Shi2, Xiaopan Liu1
1Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Fujian Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Fuzhou 350013, China.
Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the role of a novel duck miR-290, which targets Phosphatidyqinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), in regulating melanogenesis in Liancheng white ducks. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNA) associated with melanogenesis were first screened by transcriptome sequencing of mouth skin and skin from 130-day-old Liancheng white ducks. The interaction between novel miR-290 and the PI3K 3'UTR was verified by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Primary duck melanocytes were then isolated from the mouth skin tissue, and the function of miR-290 was examined at the cellular level. The results revealed that novel miR-290 directly targeted PI3K, and the levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT were significantly decreased in the mouth skin compared with skin (P < 0.05), whereas p-GSK3β, Integrin-linked kinase (ILK), Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR), and Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) were significantly increased in the mouth skin(P < 0.05). The isolated melanocytes were spindle-shaped and positive for DOPA and melanocytic markers.Overexpression of miR-290 significantly promoted melanocyte proliferation and melanin production (P < 0.01);(RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis revealed that miR-290 inhibited the expression of PI3K and protein kinase B (AKT) (P < 0.05) and increased the expression of ILK, Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK3β), MC1R, MITF, TYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TYRP2) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study identifies a novel duck miR-290 as a positive regulator of melanogenesis, which promotes melanocyte proliferation and melanin synthesis in Liancheng white ducks by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling and activating downstream melanogenic genes.
Insights
A novel duck microRNA-290 (miR-290) positively regulates melanogenesis in Liancheng white ducks. It promotes melanocyte proliferation and melanin production by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling and activating key melanogenic genes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Melanogenesis is a complex process regulating pigment production in animals.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation, influencing various biological processes including pigmentation.
- Understanding the specific miRNAs involved in duck melanogenesis is essential for elucidating pigment development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of a novel duck miR-290 in regulating melanogenesis in Liancheng white ducks.
- To identify the molecular targets and signaling pathways affected by miR-290 during pigment production.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptome sequencing to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) related to melanogenesis.
- Dual-luciferase reporter assay to confirm the interaction between miR-290 and PI3K.
- Isolation and culture of primary duck melanocytes for cellular function analysis.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis to assess gene and protein expression levels.
Main Results:
- Novel duck miR-290 directly targets Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K).
- Overexpression of miR-290 significantly promoted melanocyte proliferation and melanin production.
- miR-290 suppressed PI3K/AKT signaling while upregulating downstream melanogenic genes like MITF, TYR, and MC1R.
Conclusions:
- Novel duck miR-290 acts as a positive regulator of melanogenesis in Liancheng white ducks.
- miR-290 promotes melanocyte proliferation and melanin synthesis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway.
- This finding provides new insights into the genetic regulation of pigmentation in ducks.
