Identification of lncrna expression in the estrous cycle of qira black sheep and its combination with mirna analysis

Abstract

In order to investigate the expression of lncRNAs in the ovaries of Qira black sheep at different stages of the estrous cycle, Qira black sheep were used as experimental materials in this experiment, and after estrus synchronization, ovarian tissues at four different stages of the estrous cycle were collected to extract total RNA.The samples at different stages were first subjected to genome-wide analysis using RNA-seq technology; target genes of lncRNAs were predicted using co-expression methods; and then GO and KEGG analysis of target genes was performed. Genes related to the estrous cycle of Qira black sheep were also selected to study their transcriptional differences. Finally, lncRNA-miRNA and mRNA-lncRNA-miRNA interaction networks were established to further analyze the effect of lncRNA alignment on Qira black sheep reproduction. The results showed that in the differentially expressed part, 14 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in Estrous VS Diestrus; the differential expression levels of lncRNAs in the two comparison groups of Estrous VS Metestrus and Estrus VS Proestrus were 18 and 24, respectively. The results of GO and KEGG functional enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed lncRNAs and their target genes were mainly involved in reproduction-related pathways such as retinol metabolism, ovarian sterol production and endosterol biosynthesis. In the combined analysis of lncRNA-miRNA and mRNA-lncRNA-miRNA, genes related to reproduction, such as LNC011583, LNC003443 and bta-miR-202, were found, thus it can be seen that lncRNAs have some effect in the reproduction of Qira black sheep.

Keywords

• estrous
• ovary
• lncrna
• qira black sheep