Target Gene and Function Prediction of Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs in Lactating Mammary Glands of Dairy Goats

Fei Dong,Gui-Zhi Wang,Jian-Min Wang,Zhi-Bin Ji,Cun-Xian Chen

doi:10.1155/2013/917342

Fei Dong, Gui-Zhi Wang + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/917342

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Abstract

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that can regulate gene expression, and they can be involved in the regulation of mammary gland development. The differential expression of miRNAs during mammary gland development is expected to provide insight into their roles in regulating the homeostasis of mammary gland tissues. To screen out miRNAs that should have important regulatory function in the development of mammary gland from miRNA expression profiles and to predict their function, in this study, the target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs in the lactating mammary glands of Laoshan dairy goats are predicted, and then the functions of these miRNAs are analyzed via bioinformatics. First, we screen the expression patterns of 25 miRNAs that had shown significant differences during the different lactation stages in the mammary gland. Then, these miRNAs are clustered according to their expression patterns. Computational methods were used to obtain 215 target genes for 22 of these miRNAs. Combining gene ontology annotation, Fisher's exact test, and KEGG analysis with the target prediction for these miRNAs, the regulatory functions of miRNAs belonging to different clusters are predicted.

Highlights

MicroRNAs are endogenous ∼22 nt RNAs that play an important role in regulating gene expression through sequence-specific base pairing with target mRNAs in animals and plants [1]
Most studied miRNAs are formed into imperfect hybrids with sequences in the mRNA 3󸀠-untranslated region (3󸀠-UTR) and regulate cell development, cell proliferation, cell death, and morphogenesis [2, 3]
The Laoshan dairy goat, one of the most outstanding dairy goat breeds in China, is an ideal lactation research model for studying the molecular mechanisms of mammary gland development and lactating. miRNAs that demonstrate importance for development, cell proliferation, cell death, and morphogenesis should be involved in the regulation of the mammary gland

Summary

Introduction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous ∼22 nt RNAs that play an important role in regulating gene expression through sequence-specific base pairing with target mRNAs in animals and plants [1]. Most studied miRNAs are formed into imperfect hybrids with sequences in the mRNA 3󸀠-untranslated region (3󸀠-UTR) and regulate cell development, cell proliferation, cell death, and morphogenesis [2, 3]. The Laoshan dairy goat, one of the most outstanding dairy goat breeds in China, is an ideal lactation research model for studying the molecular mechanisms of mammary gland development and lactating. MiRNAs that demonstrate importance for development, cell proliferation, cell death, and morphogenesis should be involved in the regulation of the mammary gland.

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Conclusion