Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in testes of Duroc and Meishan boars

Abstract

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs playing vital roles in regulating posttranscriptional gene expression. Elucidating the expression regulation of miRNAs underlying pig testis development will contribute to a better understanding of boar fertility and spermatogenesis. Results In this study, miRNA expression profile was investigated in testes of Duroc and Meishan boars at 20, 75, and 270 days of age by high-throughput sequencing. Forty-five differentially expressed miRNAs were identified from testes of Duroc and Meishan boars before and after puberty. Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA profiles predicted many miRNA-mRNA pairs. Gene ontology and biological pathway analyses revealed that predicted target genes of ssc-mir-423-5p, ssc-mir-34c, ssc-mir-107, ssc-mir-196b-5p, ssc-mir-92a, ssc-mir-320, ssc-mir-10a-5p, and ssc-mir-181b were involved in sexual reproduction, male gamete generation, and spermatogenesis, and GnRH, Wnt, and MAPK signaling pathway. Four significantly differentially expressed miRNAs and their predicted target genes were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and phospholipase C beta 1 (PLCβ1) gene was verified to be a target of ssc-mir-423-5p. Conclusions This study provides an insight into the functional roles of miRNAs in testis development and spermatogenesis and offers useful resources for understanding differences in sexual function development caused by the change in miRNAs expression between Duroc and Meishan boars.

Transcriptome-Wide m6A Analysis Provides Novel Insights Into Testicular Development and Spermatogenesis in Xia-Nan Cattle

“…Spermatogenesis can be divided into three major functional stages including the proliferative stage, meiosis, and maturation stage ( Griswold, 2016 ). Notably, spermatogenesis is strictly regulated by the expression of stage-specific genes at both transcription and post-transcription levels ( Ding et al, 2020 ). Thus, the testes at different developmental stages in XN cattle were taken as the experimental object in the present study, taking into consideration that identifying key regulators and signaling pathways related to testis development and spermatogenesis will provide valuable insights into improving semen quality.…”

Transcriptome sequencing reveals differences between leydig cells and sertoli cells of yak

“…Sequencing technology has widely been used in animals to mine potential regulatory molecules. The ncRNAs in testis, which have been identified and functionally verified, suggest that they are involved in testicular development and sperm regulation ( 17 – 19 , 33 ). In this study, we constructed a linear RNA library and miRNA library.…”

“…Although a large number of lncRNAs and miRNAs have been identified and demonstrated to be involved in mammalian testicular function regulation (17)(18)(19), there are few studies on the expression of ncRNAs in different cells of the testis, especially on their regulatory mechanisms. It is valuable to study which non-coding genes maintain the normal physiological function of the testis by targeting LCs and SCs.…”

Transcriptome-Wide lncRNA and mRNA Profiling of Spleens from Meishan Pigs at Different Development Stages

“…Among these miRNAs, a number of studies have already demonstrated their potential involvement in tissue development and immunological function. For example, a study showed that mir-423-5p may be an important regulatory molecule for testis development and fertilization [ 56 ]. miR-185 was found to promote proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells [ 57 ].…”