Hui Ji1, Hui Wang1, Qiumei Ji2, Winbo Ji1, Xiaolin Luo3, Jiabo Wang1, Zhixin Chai1, Jinwei Xin2, Xin Cai1, Zhijuan Wu1, Jikun Wang1, Jincheng Zhong4. 1. Southwest Minzu University, No. 16, South Fourth Section, First Ring Road, Chengdu City, 610041, Sichuan Province, China. 2. Tibet Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, No. 130 Jinzhu West Road, Lhasa, 850000, Tibet, China. 3. Sichuan Grassland Science Academy, No. 368 Guoning West Road, Pidu District, Chengdu City, 611731, Sichuan Province, China. 4. Southwest Minzu University, No. 16, South Fourth Section, First Ring Road, Chengdu City, 610041, Sichuan Province, China. zhongjincheng518@126.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: miRNAs play an important role in regulating normal animal development. Muscle tissue and fat metabolism are important for maintaining energy balance in animals. Yak has important agricultural and economic importance as it provides milk, meat, and hair. It is used for transportation as well. However, the miRNA expression profiles of their muscle and adipose tissue are currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory roles of miRNAs in the skeletal muscle and adipose tissues of yak. METHODS: A total of 12 small RNA libraries were constructed from the skeletal muscle and adipose samples from yak aged 0.5, 2.5, 4.5, and 7.5 years. High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to determine the dynamic expression profile of miRNA, and a miRNA regulatory network related to muscle and adipose tissue development was established. RESULTS: miR-1-3p and miR-143-3p showed the highest expression during yak skeletal muscle and fat development, respectively. The MAPK and Ras signaling pathways were the pivotal pathways. miR-181-5p, miR-542-3p, and miR-424-5p may have key roles in skeletal muscle development, and CREBRF, GRB10, CDK1, RFX3, and EPC2 were the core target genes. While miR-127-5p, miR-379-3p, and miR-494-3p may play important regulatory roles in adipose deposition, and ETV1, XPO7, and C5AR2 were the core target genes. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable resources for further study of the molecular mechanisms underlying yak skeletal muscle and adipose tissue development, and also a basis for studying the interactions between genes and miRNAs.
BACKGROUND: miRNAs play an important role in regulating normal animal development. Muscle tissue and fat metabolism are important for maintaining energy balance in animals. Yak has important agricultural and economic importance as it provides milk, meat, and hair. It is used for transportation as well. However, the miRNA expression profiles of their muscle and adipose tissue are currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory roles of miRNAs in the skeletal muscle and adipose tissues of yak. METHODS: A total of 12 small RNA libraries were constructed from the skeletal muscle and adipose samples from yak aged 0.5, 2.5, 4.5, and 7.5 years. High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to determine the dynamic expression profile of miRNA, and a miRNA regulatory network related to muscle and adipose tissue development was established. RESULTS: miR-1-3p and miR-143-3p showed the highest expression during yak skeletal muscle and fat development, respectively. The MAPK and Ras signaling pathways were the pivotal pathways. miR-181-5p, miR-542-3p, and miR-424-5p may have key roles in skeletal muscle development, and CREBRF, GRB10, CDK1, RFX3, and EPC2 were the core target genes. While miR-127-5p, miR-379-3p, and miR-494-3p may play important regulatory roles in adipose deposition, and ETV1, XPO7, and C5AR2 were the core target genes. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable resources for further study of the molecular mechanisms underlying yak skeletal muscle and adipose tissue development, and also a basis for studying the interactions between genes and miRNAs.