Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex biological process regulated by well-coordinated gene regulation, including MicroRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are endogenous non-coding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs) that mainly regulate the gene expression at post-transcriptional levels. Several studies have reported miRNAs expression in bull sperm and the process of spermatogenic arrest in cattle and yak. However, studies for the identification of differential miRNA expression and its mechanisms during the developmental stages of testis still remain uncertain. In the current study, we comprehensively analyzed the expression of miRNA in bovine testes at neonatal (3 days after birth, n = 3) and mature (13 months, n = 3) stages by RNA-seq. Moreover, the role of bta-miR-146b was also investigated in regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of bovine male germline stem cells (mGSCs) followed by a series of experiments. A total of 652 miRNAs (566 known and 86 novel miRNAs) were identified, whereas 223 miRNAs were differentially expressed between the two stages. Moreover, an elevated expression level of bta-miR-146b was found in bovine testis among nine tissues, and the functional studies indicated that the overexpression of bta-miR-146b inhibited the proliferation of bovine mGSCs and promoted apoptosis. Conversely, regulation of bta-miR-146b inhibitor promoted bovine mGSCs proliferation. This study provides a basis for understanding the regulation roles of miRNAs in bovine testis development and spermatogenesis.
Highlights
In mammals, male gametes are produced in testis by spermatogenesis [1], which is the process to produce good-quality sperm; the reproductive performance is severely affected if this process is not well regulated
MiRNAs play important roles in many tissues and associated with important biological processes related to spermatogenesis and testis development [7,8]; for example, miRNAs regulate the renewal of spermatogonial stem cell (SSCs) [9] and androgen-dependent spermatogenic events [10]
This study aimed to identify key miRNAs related to testis development and spermatogenesis
Summary
Male gametes are produced in testis by spermatogenesis [1], which is the process to produce good-quality sperm; the reproductive performance is severely affected if this process is not well regulated. In addition to protein-coding messenger RNAs, many ncRNAs participate in regulation [3,4], including miRNAs. MiRNAs are endogenous ncRNAs with 18–25 nt in length. MiRNAs are endogenous ncRNAs with 18–25 nt in length These molecules regulate the gene expression at either transcriptional or post-transcriptional levels by RNA–RNA interaction [5]. MiRNAs play important roles in many tissues and associated with important biological processes related to spermatogenesis and testis development [7,8]; for example, miRNAs regulate the renewal of spermatogonial stem cell (SSCs) [9] and androgen-dependent spermatogenic events [10]
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