College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China.
College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang 222005, China.
Comp Biochem Physiol Part D Genomics Proteomics. 2024 Sep;51:101256. doi: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101256. Epub 2024 May 22.
Circular RNA (circRNA) represents a type of newly discovered non-coding RNA, distinguished by its closed loop structure formed through covalent bonds. Recent studies have revealed that circRNAs have crucial influences on host anti-pathogen responses. Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), an important aquaculture fish with great economic value, is susceptible to Aeromonas veronii, a common aquatic pathogen that can cause acute death. Here, we reported the first systematic investigation of circRNAs in yellow catfish, especially those associated with A. veronii infection at different time points. A total of 1205 circRNAs were identified, which were generated from 875 parental genes. After infection, 47 circRNAs exhibited differential expression patterns (named DEcirs). The parental genes of these DEcirs were functionally engaged in immune-related processes. Accordingly, seven DEcirs (novel_circ_000226, 278, 401, 522, 736, 843, and 975) and six corresponding parental genes (ADAMTS13, HAMP1, ANG3, APOA1, FGB, and RALGPS1) associated with immunity were obtained, and their expression was confirmed by RT-qPCR. Moreover, we found that these DEcir-gene pairs likely acted through pathways, such as platelet activation, antimicrobial humoral response, and regulation of Ral protein signal transduction, to influence host immune defenses. Additionally, integrated analysis showed that, of the 7 immune-related DEcirs, three targeted 16 miRNAs, which intertwined into circRNA-miRNA networks. These findings revealed that circRNAs, by targeting genes or miRNAs are highly involved in anti-bacterial responses in yellow catfish. Our study comprehensively illustrates the roles of circRNAs in yellow catfish immune defenses. The identified DEcirs and the circRNA-miRNA network will contribute to the further investigations on the molecular mechanisms underlying yellow catfish immune responses.
环状 RNA (circRNA) 是一种新发现的非编码 RNA，其特征是通过共价键形成的闭环结构。最近的研究表明，circRNA 对宿主抗病原体反应有重要影响。黄颡鱼 (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) 是一种具有重要经济价值的水产养殖鱼类，易感染水生病原体维氏气单胞菌，导致急性死亡。本研究首次对黄颡鱼的 circRNA 进行了系统研究，特别是与不同时间点 A. veronii 感染相关的 circRNA。共鉴定出 1205 个 circRNA，由 875 个亲本基因产生。感染后，47 个 circRNA 表现出差异表达模式（命名为 DEcirs）。这些 DEcirs 的亲本基因参与了免疫相关过程。因此，获得了 7 个 DEcir（novel_circ_000226、278、401、522、736、843 和 975）和 6 个相应的亲本基因（ADAMTS13、HAMP1、ANG3、APOA1、FGB 和 RALGPS1）与免疫相关，并通过 RT-qPCR 验证了它们的表达。此外，我们发现这些 DEcir-基因对可能通过血小板激活、抗菌体液反应和 Ral 蛋白信号转导调节等途径发挥作用，影响宿主免疫防御。此外，综合分析表明，在这 7 个免疫相关的 DEcir 中，有 3 个靶向 16 个 miRNA，这些 miRNA 交织成 circRNA-miRNA 网络。这些发现表明，circRNA 通过靶向基因或 miRNA 高度参与黄颡鱼的抗细菌反应。本研究全面说明了 circRNA 在黄颡鱼免疫防御中的作用。鉴定出的 DEcir 和 circRNA-miRNA 网络将有助于进一步研究黄颡鱼免疫反应的分子机制。
