Long non-coding RNAs in Sus scrofa ileum under starvation stress

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to identify long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that play important roles in starvation stress, analyze their functions, and discover potential molecular targets to alleviate starvation stress, to provide a theoretical reference for subsequent in-depth research. Methods:We generated a piglet hunger stress animal model. Nine Yorkshire weaned piglets were randomly divided into a long-term hunger stress group (starved for 72 h), short-term hunger stress group (starved for 48 h), and the control group. LncRNA libraries were constructed using high-throughput sequencing of piglet ileums. Results:We obtained 11,792 lncRNAs, among which, 2500 lncRNAs were novel. In total, 509 differentially expressed (DE)lncRNAs were identified in this study. Target genes of DElncRNAs were predicted via cis and trans interactions, and functional and pathway analyses were performed. Gene Ontology (GO) functions and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that lncRNA-targeted genes mainly participated in metabolic pathways, cellular processes, immune system processes, digestive systems, and transport activities. To reveal the mechanism underlying starvation stress, the interaction network between lncRNAs and their targets was constructed based on 26 DElncRNAs and 72 DE mRNAs. We performed an interaction network analysis of 121 DELncRNA-DEmRNA pairs with a Pearson correlation coefficient greater than 0.99.