Identification and Characterization of MicroRNAs in Skin of Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus) by the Deep Sequencing Approach

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNA) play a pivotal role in regulating a broad range of biological processes, acting by cleaving mRNAs or by translational repression. However, the miRNAs from skin of Andrias davidianus have not been reported. In this study, a small-RNA cDNA library was constructed and sequenced from skin of A. davidianus. A total of 513 conserved miRNAs belonging to 174 families were identified. The remaining 108 miRNAs we identified were novel and likely to be skin tissue-specific but were expressed at low levels. The presence of randomly selected 15 miRNAs identified and their expression in eight different tissues from A. davidianus were validated by stem-loop qRT-PCR. For better understanding the functions of miRNAs, 129,791 predicated target genes were analyzed by GO and their pathways illustrated by KEGG pathway analyses. The results show that these identified miRNAs from A. davidianus skin are involved in a broad range of physiological functions including metabolism, growth, development, and immune responses. This study exhaustively identifies miRNAs and their target genes, which will ultimately pave the way for understanding their role in skin of A. davidianus and other amphibians. Further studies are necessary to better understand miRNA-mediated gene regulation.

A Bioinspired Hemostatic Powder Derived from the Skin Secretion ofAndrias davidianusfor Rapid Hemostasis and Intraoral Wound Healing

“…Finally, it is worth‐noting that the Chinese Giant Salamander is recognized as a “second‐class protected animal in China.” Fortunately, in the 1990s, artificial breeding of the giant salamanders was successful, [ 35 ] and some of these salamanders began to be used commercially. Each adult animal typically allows harvesting of more than 20 mL of mucus each time, and no sacrifice of the animal is ever needed.…”