Differential expression profiles of microRNAs in musk gland of unmated and mated forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii)
Hang Jie,
Zhongxian Xu,
Jian Gao,
Feng Li,
Yinglian Chen,
Dejun Zeng,
Guijun Zhao,
Diyan Li
Affiliations
Hang Jie
Chongqing Institute of Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Bio-resource Research and Utilization joint key laboratory of Sichuan and Chongqing, Nanchuan, Chongqing, China
Zhongxian Xu
Sichuan Agricultural University, Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Jian Gao
Sichuan Agricultural University, Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Feng Li
Sichuan Agricultural University, Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Yinglian Chen
Chongqing Institute of Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Bio-resource Research and Utilization joint key laboratory of Sichuan and Chongqing, Nanchuan, Chongqing, China
Dejun Zeng
Chongqing Institute of Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Bio-resource Research and Utilization joint key laboratory of Sichuan and Chongqing, Nanchuan, Chongqing, China
Guijun Zhao
Chongqing Institute of Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Bio-resource Research and Utilization joint key laboratory of Sichuan and Chongqing, Nanchuan, Chongqing, China
Diyan Li
Sichuan Agricultural University, Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Background The formation of musk is a complex biophysical and biochemical process that change with the rut of male forest musk deer. We have reported that the mating status of male forest musk deer might result to the variations of chemical composition and microbiota of musk and its yields. Critical roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) of multi-tissues were profiled in our previous study; however, the role for miRNAs of the musk gland remains unclear in this species. Methods In this study, we used Illumina deep sequencing technology to sequence the small RNA transcriptome of unmated male (UM) and mated male (UM) of Chinese forest musk deer. Results We identified 1,652 known miRNAs and 45 novel miRNAs, of which there were 174 differentially expressed miRNAs between UM and MM. chi-miR-21-5p, ipu-miR-99b and bta-miR-26a were up-regulated in UM among the 10 most differentially expressed miRNAs. Functional enrichment of the target genes showed that monosaccharide biosynthetic process, protein targeting, cellular protein catabolic process enriched higher in MM. Meanwhile, structural molecule activity, secretion by cell, regulated exocytosis and circulatory system process enriched more in UM, hinting that the formation of musk in UM was mediated by target genes related to exocytosis. The miRNA-mRNA pairs such as miR-21: CHD7, miR143: HSD17B7, miR-141/200a: Noc2 might involve in musk gland development and musk secretion, which need to be verified in future study.
