A Comprehensive MicroRNA Expression Profile Related to Hypoxia Adaptation in the Tibetan Pig

Abstract

Tibetan pigs live between 2500 and 4300 m above sea level on the Tibetan Plateau, and are better adapted to hypoxia than lowland pigs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in a wide variety of cellular processes; however, their regulatory role in hypoxia adaptation remains unclear. In this study, miRNA-seq was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs) in the cardiac muscle of Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs, which were both raised in high elevation environments. We obtained 108 M clean reads and 372 unique miRNAs, which included 210 known porcine miRNAs, 136 conserved in other mammals, and 26 novel pre-miRNAs. In addition, 20 DE miRNAs, including 10 up-regulated and 10 down-regulated miRNAs, were also found after comparison between Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs. We predicted miRNA targets based on differential expression and abundance in the two populations. Furthermore, the results of a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis suggested that DE miRNAs in Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs are involved in hypoxia-related signaling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase, which is the mechanistic target of rapamycin, and the vascular endothelial growth factor, as well as cancer-related signaling pathways. Five DE miRNAs were randomly selected to validate the results of miRNA-seq using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the results corresponded to those from the miRNA-seq, confirming that deep-sequencing methods are feasible and efficient. In our study, we identified various previously unknown hypoxia-related miRNAs in pigs, and the data obtained suggest that hypoxia-related miRNA expression patterns are significantly altered in the Tibetan pig compared to other species. Therefore, DE miRNAs may play an important role in organisms that have adapted to hypoxic environments.

In‐depth mapping of the proteome of Tibetan pig tenderloin ( longissimus dorsi ) using offline high‐pH reversed‐phase fractionation and LC‐MS/MS

“…Studies have shown that the nutritional characteristics, flavor, and quality of meat from Tibetan pigs are different from those of common pigs (Mi, Li, et al, ; Mi, Shang, et al, ; Zhang et al, ). Therefore, the special quality formation mechanism of Tibetan pork presents an important scientific question and has not yet been elucidated.…”

MiR-19b-3p Regulates MAPK1 Expression in Embryonic Fibroblasts from the Great Tit (Parus Major) Under Hypoxic Conditions

“…According to a previous study, miRNAs related to hypoxia exhibit significant changes in Tibetan pigs compared to other species [30]. To date, very few miRNAs have been reported to play important roles in avian adaptation to hypoxia at high altitudes.…”

“…MAPK signaling is an important pathway by which hypoxia promotes tumorigenesis by suppressing the transactivation activity of p300 [45], and thus plays an important role in tumor growth and transformation, depending on angiogenesis and alterations in glucose metabolism [46]. As shown in the study by Zhang et al [30]. , the MAPK signaling pathway regulates adaptations to hypoxia in the Tibetan pig.…”

Transcriptional Regulation of HMOX1 Gene in Hezuo Tibetan Pigs: Roles of WT1, Sp1, and C/EBPα

“…Tibetan pigs are typical high-altitude pig breeds living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and are vital to the lives of Tibetan people [1]. The main producing areas of Hezuo Tibetan pigs are located in the southwestern of Gansu province in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, on the northeast edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average elevation of about 3000 meters [2]. Hezuo Tibetan pigs belong to a group of Tibetan pigs, which can adapt to the harsh plateau environment and feeding conditions, mainly relying on grazing for their livelihood [3].…”