Long non-coding RNA LOC105611671 modulates fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) expression by targeting oar-miR-26a to promote testosterone biosynthesis in Hu sheep
Xiaoxiao Gao A , Ming Zhu A , Shiyu An A , Yaxu Liang A , Hua Yang A , Jing Pang A , Zifei Liu A , Guomin Zhang
A and Feng Wang A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China.
B Corresponding author. Email: caeet@njau.edu.cn
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 32(4) 373-382 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD19116
Submitted: 28 March 2019 Accepted: 15 July 2019 Published: 21 November 2019
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play crucial roles in early gonadal development and germ cell maturation of mammals; FGF9 is involved in mammalian testis steroidogenesis. However, the upstream regulators of FGF9 in ovine testosterone biosynthesis remain unknown. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulators of multiple biological functions that act by altering gene expression. In the present study, we analysed the role of LOC105611671, a lncRNA upstream of FGF9, in Hu sheep steroidogenesis. We found that LOC105611671 expression increased significantly in Hu sheep testes during sexual maturation (P < 0.05). Moreover, levels of FGF9 and testosterone were decreased by LOC105611671 knockdown in Hu sheep Leydig cells (LCs). Results of transient transfection and luciferase assays revealed that FGF9 is a functional target gene of oar-miR-26a in ovine LCs. Further functional validation experiments revealed that LOC105611671 regulates testosterone biosynthesis by targeting oar-miR-26a. Overall, the present study describes the expression profile of LOC105611671 during sexual maturation and demonstrates that LOC105611671 modulates FGF9 expression by targeting oar-miR-26a to promote testis steroidogenesis in Hu sheep. Our research provides a new theoretical basis for genetic and molecular research on testosterone biosynthesis in sheep.
Additional keywords: lncRNA, microRNA, steroidogenesis, Leydig cells.
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