Long Noncoding RNA Lnc-SEMT Modulates IGF2 Expression by Sponging miR-125b to Promote Sheep Muscle Development and Growth

Abstract

Background/Aims: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA transcripts that are more than 200 nt long but have little protein-coding potential. Within the last few years, thousands of lncRNAs have been identified and their functions in biological processes have begun to be understood. Although many studies havebegun to examine the functions of many noncoding RNAs, very little is known about the functions of long noncoding (lncRNA) function of livestock production and molecular mechanisms of their functions are still lackingrelated to livestock production. Methods: Expression of sheep enhanced muscularityTranscript lncRNA (lnc-SEMT) and miR-125b were examined in sheep using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Expression of Myod (myogenic determination factor), Myog (myoglobin) and Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2)were examined by Western Blot.Luciferase reporter assays were performedto confirm the relationship between lnc-SEMT and miR-125b. Results: Here, we identified a novel lnc-SEMT that promote sheep myoblast differentiation in vitro and enhanced sheep muscularity in vivo. Functional analyses showed that lnc-SEMT accelerates sheep myoblast differentiation in vitro. lnc-SEMT transgenic sheep exhibit a muscle hypertrophy phenotype characterized by increased body weight, and increased the number of muscle fibers indicating that lnc-SEMT play an important role in the regulation of skeletal muscle differentiation in vivo. Our results show that lnc-SEMT acts as a molecular sponge by antagonizing miR-125b to control IGF2 protein labundance in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: In brief, lnc-SEMT is the first example of a lncRNA could be a useful candidate for improving biological growth traits such as skeletal muscle production in sheep.

Analysis of DNA methylation profiles during sheep skeletal muscle development using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing

“…However, little is known about the expression patterns and potential value of DNA methylation in skeletal muscle development of Hu sheep, a Chinese endemic species bred for its meat and skin. The number of sheep muscle fibers increases rapidly at 75-120 d of gestation, following which myofibers grow to fuse and hypertrophy after birth [8]. It is necessary to understand the dynamics of DNA methylation profiles in sheep muscle during these processes.…”

LncRNA SNHG7 promotes cardiac remodeling by upregulating ROCK1 via sponging miR-34-5p

“…Compared with microRNA, the gene regulation mechanism of lncRNAs is relatively more complex, involving the activation and inhibition of gene expression, as well as the regulation of chromatin structure [ 11 – 13 ]. Many studies have found that lncRNAs play an important role in the process of growth and development of animals and human [ 14 – 16 ]. Moreover, attention has been increasingly paid to the role of lncRNAs as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in a variety of malignant tumors [ 17 ].…”

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Involvement of lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA Networks in Hair Follicle Induction in Aohan Fine Wool Sheep Skin

“…Using this approach, it was shown thatmiR-27b promotes the proliferation of sheep skeletal muscle by targeting the myostatin gene ( Zhang et al, 2018 ). Lnc-SEMT promotes sheep myoblast differentiation in vitro and increases the number of muscle fibers ( Wei et al, 2018 ). Many circRNAs have been identified in the sheep pituitary, and screening of the differentially expressed circRNAs in the prenatal and postnatal pituitary has provided an improved understanding of the function of circRNAs in the pituitary ( Li et al, 2017 ).…”