MicroRNA expression profiling of the porcine developing brain.
BACKGROUND
MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and play an important role in the control of developmental and physiological processes. In particular, the developing brain contains an impressive diversity of microRNAs. Most microRNA expression profiling studies have been performed in human or rodents and relatively limited knowledge exists in other mammalian species. The domestic pig is considered to be an excellent, alternate, large mammal model for human-related neurological studies, due to its similarity in both brain development and the growth curve when compared to humans. Considering these similarities, studies examining microRNA expression during porcine brain development could potentially be used to predict the expression profile and role of microRNAs in the human brain.


RESULTS
MicroRNA expression profiling by use of microRNA microarrays and qPCR was performed on the porcine developing brain. Our results show that microRNA expression is regulated in a developmentally stage-specific, as well as a tissue-specific manner. Numerous developmental stage or tissue-specific microRNAs including, miR-17, miR-18a, miR-29c, miR-106a, miR-135a and b, miR-221 and miR-222 were found by microarray analysis. Expression profiles of selected candidates were confirmed by qPCR.


CONCLUSIONS
The differential expression of specific microRNAs in fetal versus postnatal samples suggests that they likely play an important role in the regulation of developmental and physiological processes during brain development. The data presented here supports the notion that microRNAs act as post-transcriptional switches which may regulate gene expression when required.
Department of Basic Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Section of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Agnieszka
A
Podolska
Bogumil
B
Kaczkowski
Peter
P
Kamp Busk
Rolf
R
Søkilde
Thomas
T
Litman
Merete
M
Fredholm
Susanna
S
Cirera
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development
D035683:MicroRNAs
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