m ⁶ A mRNA Methylation Analysis Provides Novel Insights into Pigmentation in Sheep Skin

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine (m 6 A) is the most universal post-transcriptional modification of mRNA which may play important roles in verious species. However, the potential roles of m 6 A in the pigmentation of skin are not completely understood. To explore the role of m6A modification in pigmentation of sheep skin, we used MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq to profile the skin transcriptome in black and white coat color ( n= 3). Our results showed that an average of 7701 m 6 A peaks were obtained for all samples and the average length was 305.89 bp. The GGACUU sequence was the most enrichment motif and shared in black skin and white skin. The m 6 A peaks were mainly enriched in the CDS, 3'UTR and 5'UTR, especially in CDS region near the stop codon of the transcript. 235 significantly differential peaks were found in black skin vs. white skin. The KEGG signaling pathways of downregulated and upregulated m 6 A peaks were mainly enriched in AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Viral carcinogenesis, Transcriptional misregulation in cancer, ABC transporters, Basal transcription factors and Thyroid hormone synthesis ( P value <0.05). For RNA-seq, 71 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were scanned in black skin vs. white skin. DEGs were significantly enriched in tyrosine metabolism, melanogenesis, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway ( P value <0.05). Combined m 6 A-seq and RNA-seq analysis showed that the hyper-up genes and hypo-up genes were both enriched in ErbB signaling pathway ( P value <0.05). In conclusion, it provide a basis for further research into the functions of m 6 A methylation modifications in pigmentation.

Comprehensive analysis of LncRNAs modified by m6A methylation in sheep skin

“…Studies have demonstrated that m 6 A is the most universal post-transcriptional modification of mRNA in various species and plays a key role in growth, reproduction, pigmentation, fat metabolism, nerve development, tumor invasion, immune responses, and other physiological processes by regulating the expression of mRNAs [30,31]. The role of m 6 A methylation of lncRNAs has received much attention from researchers.…”

“…M 6 A modifications may play important roles in metabolism, growth, development, immune responses, reproduction, and other physiological processes [28][29][30]. We previously identified pigment-associated m 6 A modifications of mRNA in sheep skin [31]. However, the role of lncRNAs m 6 A methylation in sheep skin has not been reported.…”

Whole Genome Resequencing Reveals Selection Signals Related to Wool Color in Sheep

“…The dysregulation of DNA replication (oas03030) may induce melanocyte decay [171]. Transcriptional misregulation in cancer (oas05202) is involved in the regulation of melanin deposition [172]. Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism (oas00260) may also play a role in the white phenotype [139,143].…”