Park Yoon-Been, Lim Chiwoong, Lim Byeonghwi, Kim Jun-Mo
Functional Genomics & Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea.
J Anim Sci Technol. 2024 Nov;66(6):1109-1126. doi: 10.5187/jast.2023.e137. Epub 2024 Nov 30.
The mechanism of estrous cycles of pigs should be explored because their reproductive traits are useful for manipulating productivity and solving problems such as infertility. These estrous cycles should be elucidated to understand the complex interactions between various reproductive tissues (including the ovary, oviduct, and endometrium) and the complex range of hormone secretions during estrous cycles. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate target genes at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation levels in various species. However, unlike mRNAs, lncRNAs in pigs have not been sufficiently annotated, and understanding the protein level of coding genes has limitations in determining the mechanism of the reproductive traits of porcine. In this study, the lncRNAs of the porcine ovary, oviduct, and endometrium were investigated on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 of the estrous cycle. In addition, the characteristics and functions of the identified lncRNAs were explored. 19,021 novel lncRNA transcripts were selected, and the comparison of the characteristics of the newly identified lncRNA and mRNA showed that similar to those of previous studies. Four lncRNA networks were chosen through network analysis. The -acting genes of lncRNAs included in each network were identified, and expression patterns were compared. The main lncRNAs (XLOC_021792, XLOC_017111, ENSSSCG00000050977, XLOC_000342, ENSSSCG00000050380, ENSSSCG00000045111, XLOC_008338, XLOC_004128, and ENSSSCG00000040267) were determined from the network by considering the -acting genes. Specific novel lncRNAs were discovered in the reproductive tissues during the swine estrous cycle, and their time-serial expression dynamics were confirmed. As the main lncRNAs are involved in the development of each reproductive tissue and hormone action, they can be utilized as potential biomarkers to help improve and develop the reproductive traits of pigs.
猪的发情周期机制值得探索，因为它们的繁殖特性有助于提高生产力并解决诸如不育等问题。为了理解发情周期中各种生殖组织（包括卵巢、输卵管和子宫内膜）之间复杂的相互作用以及激素分泌的复杂范围，需要阐明这些发情周期。长链非编码RNA（lncRNAs）在转录、转录后和翻译后调控水平上调节各种物种的靶基因。然而，与mRNA不同，猪中的lncRNAs尚未得到充分注释，并且了解编码基因的蛋白质水平在确定猪繁殖特性的机制方面存在局限性。在本研究中，在发情周期的第0、3、6、9、12、15和18天对猪的卵巢、输卵管和子宫内膜的lncRNAs进行了研究。此外，还探索了所鉴定lncRNAs的特征和功能。选择了19,021个新的lncRNA转录本，新鉴定的lncRNA和mRNA特征的比较表明与先前研究相似。通过网络分析选择了四个lncRNA网络。鉴定了每个网络中包含的lncRNAs的作用基因，并比较了表达模式。通过考虑作用基因从网络中确定了主要的lncRNAs（XLOC_021792、XLOC_017111、ENSSSCG00000050977、XLOC_000342、ENSSSCG00000050380、ENSSSCG00000045111、XLOC_008338、XLOC_004128和ENSSSCG00000040267）。在猪发情周期的生殖组织中发现了特定的新lncRNAs，并证实了它们的时间序列表达动态。由于主要的lncRNAs参与每个生殖组织的发育和激素作用，它们可作为潜在的生物标志物，有助于改善和发展猪的繁殖特性。
