Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a key role in development and specific biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Extensive studies of mammary miRNAs have been performed in different species and tissues. However, little is known about porcine mammary gland miRNAs. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of miRNAs in the lactating mammary gland in two distinct pig breeds, Jinhua and Yorkshire. Many miRNAs were detected as significantly differentially expressed between the two libraries. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, many are known to be related to mammary gland development and lactation by interacting with putative target genes in previous studies. These findings suggest that miRNA expression patterns may contribute significantly to target mRNA regulation and influence mammary gland development and peak lactation performance. The data we obtained provide useful information about the roles of miRNAs in the biological processes of lactation and the mechanisms of target gene expression and regulation.
Highlights
MicroRNA belongs to a class of evolutionary conserved small RNA (19–25 nucleotides) that regulates gene expression in a sequence-specific manner, essentially at the posttranscriptional level.miRNAs regulate target genes through either the degradation of messenger RNA or via translational inhibition [1]. miRNA plays a key role in development and specific biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis [2]
Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were all employed to verify the microstructure of the lactating mammary gland tissues used in constructing miRNA libraries
In the lactation mammary glands, many mature alveolar structures were packed with mammary lobules of a variety of shapes
Summary
MicroRNA (miRNA) belongs to a class of evolutionary conserved small RNA (19–25 nucleotides) that regulates gene expression in a sequence-specific manner, essentially at the posttranscriptional level.miRNAs regulate target genes through either the degradation of messenger RNA (mRNA) or via translational inhibition [1]. miRNA plays a key role in development and specific biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis [2]. MicroRNA (miRNA) belongs to a class of evolutionary conserved small RNA (19–25 nucleotides) that regulates gene expression in a sequence-specific manner, essentially at the posttranscriptional level. MiRNAs regulate target genes through either the degradation of messenger RNA (mRNA) or via translational inhibition [1]. The complex initiation of mammary gland lactation has been extensively studied over the years at the genetic, physiological and morphological levels because of its important functions [4]. Sow milk production is one of the most important factors limiting neonatal piglet growth and survival. Milk yield in sows is a critical factor for economic success of swine operations because it is the main determinant of litter growth [6]
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