Bta-mir-2460 and bta-mir-193-2 expression differentially correlate with target receptor molecules in bovine tissue samples

Abstract:

Differential gene expression is tightly regulated across various tissues. Micro-RNAs are small species of non-coding RNAs that can regulate specific target genes at pre and post transcriptional levels. Of recent, doors are opening to understand their involvement in regulation of immune gene expression. During an infection, several immune genes are activated and regulated of which miRNAs are thought to be involved creating a potential use in diagnostic markers and drug targets. Our hypothesis is that such miRNAs are differentially expressed with their gene targets. Through complementary base pair binding, we previously showed that bovine miRNAs such as bta-mir-193-2 and bta-mir-2460 complementarily bind with some target genes like CD-14 (Cluster of differentiation 14), ITGAM (Integrin Subunit Alpha M) and NANS (N-acetylneuraminate Synthase). Here, we elucidated the expression profile of these miRNAs and their targets in liver, lung, and testis tissue samples using qPCR approach. Our analysis shows that bta-mir-193-2’s expression is negatively correlated to CD-14, ITGAM and NANS in the testis but not in the lungs and liver. Conversely, NANS was downregulated in both liver and lung while bta-mir-2460 is significantly elevated identifying it as a potential regulator. NANS is involved in the pathway corresponding to the production of salic acid, which is linked to regeneration of nerve, epithelial and other immune cells. A miRNA such as bta-mir-2460 could contribute to the regulation of this pathway. CD-14 is a receptor for the activation of monocytes and macrophages; key cells of innate immune system while ITGAM contributes to the integrin pathway by allowing the formation of receptors on microphages as well as phagocytosis of coated particles in the cell. Analysis of such miRNA as bta-mir-193-2 in these biological pathways may provide a new direction for infectious disease study, diagnosis as well as therapeutic measures.