Klaudia Pawlina-Tyszko1, Maria Oczkowicz2, Artur Gurgul2,3, Tomasz Szmatoła2,3, Monika Bugno-Poniewierska4. 1. Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083, Balice, Kraków, Poland. klaudia.pawlina@izoo.krakow.pl. 2. Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083, Balice, Kraków, Poland. 3. Center for Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Rędzina 1c, 30-248, Kraków, Poland. 4. Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, University of Agriculture in Kraków, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Kraków, Poland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs indirectly orchestrate myriads of essential biological processes. A wide diversity of miRNAs of the neurodevelopmental importance characterizes the brain tissue, which, however, exhibits region-specific miRNA profile differences. One of the most conservative regions of the brain is periaqueductal grey (PAG) playing vital roles in significant functions of this organ, also those observed to be sex-influenced. The domestic pig is an important livestock species but is also believed to be an excellent human model. This is of particular importance for neurological research because of the similarity of pig and human brains as well as difficult access to human samples. However, the pig PAG profile has not been characterized so far. Moreover, molecular bases of sex differences connected with brain functioning, including miRNA expression profiles, have not been fully deciphered yet. METHODS: Thus, in this study, we applied next-generation sequencing to characterize pig PAG expressed microRNAs. Furthermore, we performed differential expression analysis between females and males to identify changes of the miRNA profile and reveal candidates underlying sex-related differences. RESULTS: As a result, known brain-enriched, and new miRNAs which will expand the available profile, were identified. The downstream analysis revealed 38 miRNAs being differentially expressed (DE) between female and male samples. Subsequent pathway analysis showed that they enrich processes vital for neuron growth and functioning, such as long-term depression and axon guidance. Among the identified sex-influenced miRNAs were also those associated with the PAG physiology and diseases related to this region. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results broaden the knowledge on the porcine PAG miRNAome, along with its dynamism reflected in different isomiR signatures. Moreover, they indicate possible mechanisms associated with sex-influenced differences mediated via miRNAs in the PAG functioning. They also provide candidate miRNAs for further research concerning, i.e., sex-related bases of physiological and pathological processes occurring in the nervous system.
BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs indirectly orchestrate myriads of essential biological processes. A wide diversity of miRNAs of the neurodevelopmental importance characterizes the brain tissue, which, however, exhibits region-specific miRNA profile differences. One of the most conservative regions of the brain is periaqueductal grey (PAG) playing vital roles in significant functions of this organ, also those observed to be sex-influenced. The domestic pig is an important livestock species but is also believed to be an excellent human model. This is of particular importance for neurological research because of the similarity of pig and human brains as well as difficult access to human samples. However, the pigPAG profile has not been characterized so far. Moreover, molecular bases of sex differences connected with brain functioning, including miRNA expression profiles, have not been fully deciphered yet. METHODS: Thus, in this study, we applied next-generation sequencing to characterize pigPAG expressed microRNAs. Furthermore, we performed differential expression analysis between females and males to identify changes of the miRNA profile and reveal candidates underlying sex-related differences. RESULTS: As a result, known brain-enriched, and new miRNAs which will expand the available profile, were identified. The downstream analysis revealed 38 miRNAs being differentially expressed (DE) between female and male samples. Subsequent pathway analysis showed that they enrich processes vital for neuron growth and functioning, such as long-term depression and axon guidance. Among the identified sex-influenced miRNAs were also those associated with the PAG physiology and diseases related to this region. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results broaden the knowledge on the porcine PAG miRNAome, along with its dynamism reflected in different isomiR signatures. Moreover, they indicate possible mechanisms associated with sex-influenced differences mediated via miRNAs in the PAG functioning. They also provide candidate miRNAs for further research concerning, i.e., sex-related bases of physiological and pathological processes occurring in the nervous system.
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