miRNA-mRNA analysis of sheep adrenal glands reveals the network regulating reproduction

Abstract

Background The adrenal gland participates in the process of sheep reproduction. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous small noncoding RNAs, regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. However, the miRNA-mRNA network profile of adrenal glands relating to reproduction in sheep is still not well-studied. As sheep with FecBBB genotype show higher lambing number compare with the sheep with FecB++ genotype. This research aims to compare gene expression by small RNA-seq in adrenal tissues at follicular (F) and luteal (L) phases in FecBBB (MM) and FecB++ (ww) sheep. After analysis of gene expression, significant differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs) and corresponding target genes were identified. Results A total of 180 miRNAs were found in this study, of which 19 DEMs were expressed in the four comparison groups (MM_F_A vs. MM_L_A, MM_F_A vs. ww_F_A, MM_L_A vs. ww_L_A, ww_F_A vs. ww_L_A). Subsequently, 354 target genes of 19 DEMs were predicted by integrated analysis. Cluster analysis was performed by K_means_cluster, and the expression patterns of these DEMs were separated into four subclusters. Functional analysis of target genes was performed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The results indicated that the target genes were involved mainly in the Notch signaling pathway, signal transduction, cell communication, innate immune response and amino acid metabolism. Specifically, the Notch signaling pathway, biosynthetic process and metabolic process of pyrimidine nucleotide and amino acid metabolism appear to play key regulatory roles in the sheep fertility trait. Furthermore, miRNA-mRNA interaction networks were constructed by differentially expressed genes combined with our previous study of transcriptome data. The results showed that several key genes, including TDRD3, ANAPC7, CCNL2, BRD2 and MUT, were related to the transformation from the follicular phase to the luteal phase. PLAC8L1, NFAT5, DDX24 and MBD1 were related to the high fecundity of small tail Han sheep. Conclusions In this study, the miRNA transcriptome profile was identified, and miRNA-mRNA interaction networks were constructed in adrenal gland tissue of small tail Han sheep, the interaction between miR-370-3p and its targets were considered to play a major role in the reproduction regulation process. The results enriched the number of known miRNAs in adrenal glands and provided novel ideas and further information to demonstrate posttranscriptional regulation mechanisms at follicular and luteal phases in different genotypes of small tail Han sheep.

Transcriptomics and metabolomics of blood, urine and ovarian follicular fluid of yak at induced estrus stage

“…Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between miRNAs and mammalian estrus. For instance, the interaction between miR-370-3p and target genes has been shown to play a crucial role in the reproductive regulation of small-tailed Han sheep, participating in the post-transcriptional processes of follicular and luteal stages in different genotypes of small-tailed Han sheep [ 63 ]. Yongfu La and their colleagues have also identified miRNAs that are associated with testicular development in male yaks [ 64 ], shedding light on the role of miRNAs in regulating testis development and improving reproductive performance in male yaks.…”

Thyroid Transcriptomics Revealed the Reproductive Regulation of miRNA in the Follicular and Luteal Phases in Small-Tail Han Sheep with Different FecB Genotypes

“…These findings suggest that miR-370-3p may function as a regulator of early pregnancy establishment and maintenance in sheep [26]. RNA-seq analysis of the adrenal glands of STH sheep [27] with different FecB genotypes and thyroid tissues of Sunite sheep [28] with different photoperiods revealed miR-370-3p as the central element of the network. These findings suggest that miR-370-3p could potentially impact the reproductive process in sheep.…”

Genomic signatures reveal selection in Chinese and European domesticated geese

“…The KMT2E gene is a member of the histone methyltransferase protein Mll family. The PTGR2 gene belongs to the middle‐chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily, which can catalyze the metabolism of prostaglandins and may be involved in reproductive regulation through prostate response (Chen et al, 2022). Neuronal growth regulator 1 (NEGR1) is a glycosyl‐phosphatidylinositol anchored membrane protein, which is predicted by genome‐wide association studies to be correlated with body weight (Han et al, 2022).…”