Abstract
BackgroundLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can play important roles in uterine and ovarian functions. However, little researches have been done on the role of lncRNAs in the adrenal gland of sheep. Herein, RNA sequencing was used to compare and analyze gene expressions in adrenal tissues between follicular phases and luteal phases in FecBBB (MM) and FecB++ (WW) sheep, respectively, and differentially expressed lncRNAs and genes associated with reproduction were identified.ResultsIn MM sheep, 38 lncRNAs and 545 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the adrenal gland between the luteal and follicular phases; In WW sheep, 513 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 2481 mRNAs were identified. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses indicated that differentially expressed lncRNAs and their target genes are mainly involved in the circadian rhythm, the mitogen activated protein kinase, thyroid, ovarian steroidogenesis and transforming growth factor beta signaling pathways. Differentially expressed lncRNAs can regulate reproduction by modulating genes involved in these signaling pathways and biological processes. Specifically, XLOC_254761, XLOC_357966, 105,614,839 and XLOC_212877 targeting CREB1, PER3, SMAD1 and TGFBR2, respectively, appear to play key regulatory roles.ConclusionThese results broaden our understanding of lncRNAs in adrenal gland of sheep and provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sheep reproduction.
Highlights
IntroductionLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can play important roles in uterine and ovarian functions
Long non-coding RNAs can play important roles in uterine and ovarian functions
The expression levels of mRNAs and Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were further analyzed according to FPKM values, and the boxplot (Fig. 1c) shows that the expression levels of mRNAs in the adrenal tissues were higher than lncRNAs
Summary
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can play important roles in uterine and ovarian functions. Little researches have been done on the role of lncRNAs in the adrenal gland of sheep. RNA sequencing was used to compare and analyze gene expressions in adrenal tissues between follicular phases and luteal phases in FecBBB (MM) and FecB++ (WW) sheep, respectively, and differentially expressed lncRNAs and genes associated with reproduction were identified. The behavior of estrus and mate in Small-tailed Han sheep appear year-round. FecBB mutations have huge economic benefits in production, which can significantly increase the number of ovulation and lambs in sheep. According to the previous research report of this team, all three genotypes of FecB (FecBBB, FecBB+ and FecB++) are distributed in Small-tailed Han sheep, and there is a significant correlation between the three genotypes of FecB and the lamb size of ewes [2]. Smalltailed Han sheep can be used as an ideal animal model to study the molecular mechanism of FecB gene regulation of reproductive traits
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