Abstract
BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding 21–25 nt RNA molecules that play an important role in regulating gene expression. Little is known about the expression profiles and functions of miRNAs in skin and their role in pigmentation. Alpacas have more than 22 natural coat colors, more than any other fiber producing species. To better understand the role of miRNAs in control of coat color we performed a comprehensive analysis of miRNA expression profiles in skin of white versus brown alpacas.ResultsTwo small RNA libraries from white alpaca (WA) and brown alpaca (BA) skin were sequenced with the aid of Illumina sequencing technology. 272 and 267 conserved miRNAs were obtained from the WA and BA skin libraries, respectively. Of these conserved miRNAs, 35 and 13 were more abundant in WA and BA skin, respectively. The targets of these miRNAs were predicted and grouped based on Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis. Many predicted target genes for these miRNAs are involved in the melanogenesis pathway controlling pigmentation. In addition to the conserved miRNAs, we also obtained 22 potentially novel miRNAs from the WA and BA skin libraries.ConclusionThis study represents the first comprehensive survey of miRNAs expressed in skin of animals of different coat colors by deep sequencing analysis. We discovered a collection of miRNAs that are differentially expressed in WA and BA skin. The results suggest important potential functions of miRNAs in coat color regulation.
Highlights
MicroRNAs are small, non-coding 21–25 nt RNA molecules that play an important role in regulating gene expression
SncRNAs include small interfering RNA [1], miRNA [2] and piwi-interacting RNA, which all regulate genes at the post-transcriptional level [3]. Among these small endogenous noncoding RNA (sncRNA), miRNAs are small, non-coding 21–25 nt RNA molecules that play an important role in regulating gene expression in animals and plants by promoting mRNA degradation and inhibiting mRNA translation [4]
Overall complexity of sRNA pools between the white alpaca (WA) and brown alpaca (BA) skin libraries To identify miRNAs expressed in alpaca skin, WA and BA skin small RNA libraries were analyzed by deep sequencing
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding 21–25 nt RNA molecules that play an important role in regulating gene expression. SncRNAs include small interfering RNA [1], miRNA [2] and piwi-interacting RNA, which all regulate genes at the post-transcriptional level [3]. Among these sncRNAs, miRNAs are small, non-coding 21–25 nt RNA molecules that play an important role in regulating gene expression in animals and plants by promoting mRNA degradation and inhibiting mRNA translation [4]. Many miRNAs are evolutionary conserved in related species and some even show conservation between invertebrates and In adult animals, both hair and skin color depend on pigment produced by melanocytes at the base of the epithelium [8]. A large number of genes have been found to affect hair and skin color in humans and other vertebrate species [11,12,13], the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating coat color in fiber-producing species, such as the alpaca, are not completely understood
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
