1
|
Xu Z, Liu Q, Ning C, Yang M, Zhu Q, Li D, Wang T, Li F. miRNA profiling of chicken follicles during follicular development. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2212. [PMID: 38278859 PMCID: PMC10817932 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52716-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role as transcription regulators in various aspects of follicular development, including steroidogenesis, ovulation, apoptosis, and gene regulation in poultry. However, there is a paucity of studies examining the specific impact of miRNAs on ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) across multiple grades in laying hens. Consequently, this study aims to investigate the roles of miRNAs in chicken GCs. By constructing miRNA expression profiles of GCs at 10 different time points, encompassing 4 pre-hierarchical, 5 preovulatory, and 1 postovulatory follicles stage, we identified highly expressed miRNAs involved in GC differentiation (miR-148a-3p, miR-143-3p), apoptosis (let7 family, miR-363-3p, miR-30c-5p, etc.), and autophagy (miR-128-3p, miR-21-5p). Furthermore, we discovered 48 developmentally dynamic miRNAs (DDMs) that target 295 dynamic differentially expressed genes (DDGs) associated with follicular development and selection (such as oocyte meiosis, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, Wnt signaling pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway) as well as follicular regression (including autophagy and cellular senescence). These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate mechanisms underlying follicle recruitment, selection, and degeneration, aiming to enhance poultry's reproductive capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637009, China
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637009, China
| | - Chunyou Ning
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Maosen Yang
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Qing Zhu
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Diyan Li
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
| | - Feng Li
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637009, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang Y, Wang J, Li Q, Xuan R, Guo Y, He P, Chao T. Characterization of MicroRNA expression profiles in the ovarian tissue of goats during the sexual maturity period. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:234. [PMID: 38062510 PMCID: PMC10704810 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01318-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ovary is an important reproductive organ in mammals, and its development directly affects the sexual maturity and reproductive capacity of individuals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recognized as regulators of reproductive physiological processes in various animals and have been shown to regulate ovarian development through typical targeting and translational repression. However, little is known about the regulatory role of miRNAs in ovarian tissue development during sexual maturity in goats. To comprehensively profile the different physiological stages of sexual maturation in goats, we performed small-RNA sequencing of ovarian tissue samples collected at four specific time points (1 day after birth (D1), 2 months old (M2), 4 months old (M4), and 6 months old (M6)). In addition, we used ELISAs to measure serum levels of reproductive hormones to study their temporal changes. RESULTS The results showed that serum levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, oestradiol, progesterone, oxytocin, and prolactin were lower in goats at the D1 stage than at the other three developmental stages (P < 0.05). The secretion patterns of these seven hormones show a similar trend, with hormone levels reaching their peaks at 4 months of age. A total of 667 miRNAs were detected in 20 libraries, and 254 differentially expressed miRNAs and 3 groups of miRNA clusters that had unique expression patterns were identified (|log2-fold change|> 1, FDR < 0.05) in the 6 comparison groups. RT‒qPCR was employed to confirm that the expression pattern of the 15 selected miRNAs was consistent with the Illumina sequencing results. Gene ontology analyses revealed significant enrichment of GO terms such as cell proliferation regulation, epithelial cell development, and amino acid transport, as well as important signaling pathways including the MAPK signaling pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and the oestrogen signaling pathway. Further miRNA‒mRNA regulation network analysis revealed that 8 differentially expressed miRNAs (chi-miR-1343, chi-miR-328-3p, chi-miR-877-3p, chi-miR-296-3p, chi-miR-128-5p, chi-miR-331-3p, chi-miR-342-5p and chi-miR-34a) have important regulatory roles in ovarian cell proliferation, hormone secretion and metabolism-related biological processes. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our study investigated the changes in serum hormone and miRNA levels in the ovaries. These data provide a valuable resource for understanding the molecular regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in ovarian tissue during the sexual maturity period in goats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction By Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction By Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Qing Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction By Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Rong Xuan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction By Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Yanfei Guo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction By Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Peipei He
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction By Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Tianle Chao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China.
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction By Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li Y, Zhang Z, Wang S, Du X, Li Q. miR-423 sponged by lncRNA NORHA inhibits granulosa cell apoptosis. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:154. [PMID: 38053184 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00960-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atresia and degeneration, a follicular developmental fate that reduces female fertility and is triggered by granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis, have been induced by dozens of miRNAs. Here, we report a miRNA, miR-423, that inhibits the initiation of follicular atresia (FA), and early apoptosis of GCs. RESULTS We showed that miR-423 was down-regulated during sow FA, and its levels in follicles were negatively correlated with the GC density and the P4/E2 ratio in the follicular fluid in vivo. The in vitro gain-of-function experiments revealed that miR-423 suppresses cell apoptosis, especially early apoptosis in GCs. Mechanically speaking, the miR-423 targets and interacts with the 3'-UTR of the porcine SMAD7 gene, which encodes an apoptosis-inducing factor in GCs, and represses its expression and pro-apoptotic function. Interestingly, FA and the GC apoptosis-related lncRNA NORHA was demonstrated as a ceRNA of miR-423. Additionally, we showed that a single base deletion/insertion in the miR-423 promoter is significantly associated with the number of stillbirths (NSB) trait of sows. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that miR-423 is a small molecule for inhibiting FA initiation and GC early apoptosis, suggesting that treating with miR-423 may be a novel approach for inhibiting FA initiation and improving female fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhuofan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Siqi Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xing Du
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Qifa Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sabry R, Williams M, LaMarre J, Favetta LA. Granulosa cells undergo BPA-induced apoptosis in a miR-21-independent manner. Exp Cell Res 2023; 427:113574. [PMID: 37004947 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a harmful endocrine disrupting compound that alters not only classical cellular mechanisms but also epigenetic mechanisms. Evidence suggests that BPA-induced changes in microRNA expression can explain, in part, the changes observed at both the molecular and cellular levels. BPA is toxic to granulosa cells (GCs) as it can activate apoptosis, which is known to contribute to increased follicular atresia. miR-21 is a crucial antiapoptotic regulator in GCs, yet the exact function in a BPA toxicity model remains unclear. BPA was found to induce bovine GC apoptosis through the activation of several intrinsic factors. BPA reduced live cells counts, increased late apoptosis/necrosis, increased apoptotic transcripts (BAX, BAD, BCL-2, CASP-9, HSP70), increased the BAX/Bcl-2 ratio and HSP70 at the protein level, and induced caspase-9 activity at 12 h post-exposure. miR-21 inhibition increased early apoptosis and, while it did not influence transcript levels or caspase-9 activity, it did elevate the BAX/Bcl-2 protein ratio and HSP70 in the same manner as BPA. Overall, this study shows that miR-21 plays a molecular role in regulating intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis; however, miR-21 inhibition did not make the cells more sensitive to BPA. Therefore, apoptosis induced by BPA in bovine GCs is miR-21 independent.
Collapse
|