Genome-wide analysis reveals the differential regulations of mRNAs and miRNAs in Dorset and Small Tail Han sheep muscles.

Sheep are highly diverse species raised for meat and other agricultural products. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic regulators that could control muscle growth and development in different sheep breeds. The study showed that the differentially expressed genes are involved in various cellular activities, such as metabolic cascades, catalytic function and signaling pathway. Many signaling molecules are also found to be differentially expressed, suggesting important roles of signaling pathways contributing to genetic diversity and sheep development. Analysis of miRNAs suggested important roles of miRNAs in controlling muscle differences. This study provided a genome-wide resolution of mRNA and miRNA regulations in muscles from Dorset and Han sheep.