203 circRNAs were differentially expressed in subcutaneous adipose tissue across 6, 18, and 30 months in naturally grazing castrated Mongolian sheep, implicating roles in lipid and adipose metabolism.
This study identifies key circRNAs and ceRNA networks involved in subcutaneous adipose tissue metabolism during the growth of Mongolian sheep, providing a foundation for breeding strategies.
Effect estimate: 203 differentially expressed circRNAs with p < 0.05 and fold change >2 or <0.5
p-value: p=<0.05
While circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known to play crucial roles in adipose tissue metabolism, their regulatory mechanisms in naturally grazing Mongolian sheep remain poorly understood. This study characterized the circRNA expression profiles in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of castrated rams (Mongolian sheep) at 6, 18, and 30 months after of birth (n = 3). A total of 18,581 circRNAs were identified in the SAT of these sheep, among which 203 were differentially expressed (DE) across different growth stages, including circRNA7989, circRNA2263, circRNA4685, and circRNA4786. The host genes of DE circRNAs were enriched in lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and glucose metabolism. Moreover, competing endogenous RNA network analysis combining miRNA and mRNA data revealed that circRNA4744, circRNA12148, circRNA10725, and circRNA4895 potentially modulate adipocyte hyperplasia, TG synthesis, and fat deposition by regulating miRNAs that target PDPN, CYP26B1, COL24A1, and SCD. The results of the present study suggest that circRNAs and the ceRNA network play a critical role in SAT metabolism during the growth of naturally grazing sheep, offering a theoretical foundation for breeding strategies and meat quality regulation, for example, by modulating key genes such as circRNA4744, circRNA12148, circRNA10725, and circRNA4895.
Chen et al. (Mon,) conducted a other in Castrated rams (Mongolian sheep) naturally grazing on Xilingol grassland in Inner Mongolia at three developmental stages (6, 18, and 30 months) (n=9). Natural grazing and development over time (observation at 6, 18, 30 months) vs. Different age groups compared (Mth-6 vs. Mth-18 vs. Mth-30) was evaluated on Differential expression (DE) of circRNAs in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) across different growth stages (203 differentially expressed circRNAs with p < 0.05 and fold change >2 or <0.5, p=<0.05). 203 circRNAs were differentially expressed in subcutaneous adipose tissue across 6, 18, and 30 months in naturally grazing castrated Mongolian sheep, implicating roles in lipid and adipose metabolism.