Integrative analysis of circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs profiles to reveal ceRNAs networks in chicken intramuscular and abdominal adipogenesis

Abstract

Background: Tissue-specific fat deposition is regulated by a series of complex regulatory mechanisms. Reports indicate that epigenetic regulators, such as circular RNAs (circRNAs), are crucial in diseases progression, animal development, metabolism, and adipogenesis. In this study, to assess the functional roles of circRNAs in adipogenesis and tissue-specific fat deposition, we comprehensively analyzed the Ribo-Zero RNA-Seq and miRNAs data during chicken intramuscular and abdominal adipogenic differentiation. Results: circRNAs and miRNAs profiles during chicken adipogenic differentiation were found in adipocytes derived from various adipose tissues. It was also discovered that high levels of downregulated miRNAs potentially promote adipogenesis by activating their target genes which are associated with fatty acid metabolism and adipogenic differentiation. Through analysis of the correlation between the expression levels of circRNAs and adipogenic genes, as well as the dynamic expression patterns of circRNAs during adipogenic differentiation, several candidate circRNAs were identified. Moreover, competing endogenous RNA (ceRNAs) networks were constructed during chicken intramuscular and abdominal adipogenesis by combining miRNAs with mRNAs data. Several candidate circRNAs potentially influence adipogenesis by regulating miRNAs via PPAR and fatty acid metabolism-related pathways were identified, such as circLCLAT1, circFNDC3AL, circCLEC19A and circARMH1. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings reveal that circRNAs and the circRNA-miRNAs-mRNAs-ceRNAs network may play important roles in chicken adipocytes differentiation and tissue-specific fat deposition.

CircRNA 0009043 suppresses non-small-cell lung cancer development via targeting the miR-148a-3p/DNAJB4 axis

“…Functionally, miRNAs play a central role in tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, development, and invasion [28,29]. Many circRNAs contain multiple miRNA binding sites such that they can serve as de facto miRNA sponges, sequestering these non-coding RNAs and thereby influencing cancer development [8,10,30]. In gastric cancer, for example, circ-PVT1 is upregulated and sequesters miR-124-3p, thereby upregulating ZEB1 expression and promoting tumor cell resistance to paclitaxel treatment [31].…”