The role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in regulating transcription in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) myoblasts in response to amino acids and insulin-like growth factor 1 [miRNA-seq]
In this study, gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fast muscle myoblasts were stimulated with two pro-growth treatments, amino acids (AA) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf-1), to analyze the transcriptional response of genes, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their regulatory network. AA had a higher impact on gene transcription (1795 genes significantly changed) compared to Igf-1 (385 genes significantly changed). Both treatments stim-ulated the transcription of genes related to muscle differentiation (GO:0042692) and sarcomere components (GO:0030017), but AA stimulated more the DNA replication and cell division (GO:0007049). Notably, four miRNAs (miR-21, miR-146, miR-22b and miR-206) dominated the landscape among 403 expressed miRNAs. Both pro-growth treatments altered the transcription of over 100 miRNAs, including muscle-specific miRNAs (myomiRs) such as miR-133a/b, miR-206, miR-499, miR-1, and miR 27a. Among 111 detected lncRNAs (> 1 FPKM), only 30 were significantly changed by AA and 11 by Igf-1. Eight lncRNAs exhibited strong negative correlations with several mRNAs, suggesting direct regulation; while 30 lncRNAs showed strong correlations and interac-tions with several miRNAs, suggesting their function as miRNA's sponges. This work is the first step in the identification of ncRNAs network controlling muscle development and growth in gilthead sea bream, pointing out potential regulatory mechanisms in response to pro-growth signals. Overall design: To obtain the microRNAome profile of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) muscle cells treated with amino acids (AA), IGF1 or cultured in nutrient restriction medium (Control), with n=3 for each experimental group.