Integrated analysis of the miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in Leiocassis longirostris at gonadal maturation.

Leiocassis longirostris is a commercially important fish species that shows a sexually dimorphic growth pattern. A lack of molecular data from the gonads of this species has hindered research and selective breeding efforts. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the expression profile of miRNA and mRNA to explore their regulatory roles in the gonadal maturation stage of L. longirostris. We identified 60 differentially expressed miRNAs and 20,752 differentially expressed genes by sequencing. A total of 90 miRNAs and 21 target genes involved in gonad development and sex determination were identified. Overall, the results of this study enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex determination and differentiation and provide valuable genomic information for the selective breeding of L. longirostris.