Abstract
Deer antler is the only completely regenerable organ in mammals. During the rapid growth period, the antler proliferates even faster than cancerous tissue growth. However, the proliferation and development of antler have been in a stable and controllable growth cycle. In this study, we analyzed the time series expression data of nine samples from mesenchyme layer in three male sika deer in the early period of the antler with a saddle-like appearance (30 days), the rapid growth period of the antler with two branches (60 days), and the final period of the antler with three branches (90 days). Whole Transcriptome sequencing results show that in the 30 d versus 60 d group, 1,464 genes, 85 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 61 miRNAs were identified as differentially expressed; 1,748 genes, 138 lncRNAs, and 78 miRNAs were identified as differentially expressed in 30d versus 90d group; and 816 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 49 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs), and 24 differentially expressed miRNA (DE miRNAs) were identified in 60d versus 90d group. A total of 182 miRNA-mRNA interaction pairs and 89 miRNA-lncRNA interaction pairs were screened from DEGs, DE miRNAs, and DE lncRNAs to construct the ceRNA regulatory network (ceRNET). In summary, we identified candidate mRNAs, miRNAs and lncRNAs that regulate the development of antler tip. It may lay the foundation for further investigating the molecular mechanism of antler rapid growth and development.
Highlights
We identified differentially expressed genes (DEG), DE differentially expressed miRNAs (miRNAs), and DE long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and constructed competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network (ceRNET) for understanding the complexity of ceRNA crosstalk and competition in these three periods of antler development
We focused on the Gene Ontology (GO) term of “development” in the process of antler development such as animal organ development, cellular developmental process, system development, and tissue development
KEGG enrichment analyses were performed on the differential expressed transcripts, and it revealed that 30 d versus 60 d and 30 d versus 90 d were significantly enriched in Glycosaminoglycan binding proteins, cGMP/PKG signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, some DEGs enriched in PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway
Summary
Antlers are male secondary sexual characteristics (except in reindeer). It is the unique appendages organ that can undergo periodic regeneration and shedding in mammalians. The annual cycle of antler growth starts in spring, and antler begins to elongate rapidly and forms lateral branches. During this time, the growth rate of the sika deer antlers can reach 12.5 mm/d (Li et al, 2014). Whole Transcriptome Analysis of Antlers end of the summer, the antler grows out of the second lateral branch and stops growing, laying the foundation for the complete calcification of the antlers in the upcoming breeding season At the Abbreviations: ceRNET, CeRNA regulatory network; DEG, differentially expressed genes; DE miRNAs, differentially expressed miRNAs; lncRNAs, differentially expressed lncRNAs; lncRNA, long non-coding RNAs; MREs, microRNA recognition elements; (PCC), Pearson correlation coefficient.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 call
