Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel class of non-coding RNAs, can interact with miRNAs through a sequence-driven sponge mechanism, thereby regulating the expression of their downstream target genes. CircRNA-1967 was found in secondary hair follicles (SHFs) of cashmere goats, but its functions are not clear. Here, we showed that both circRNA-1967 and its host gene BNC2 had significantly higher expression in SHF bulge at anagen than those at telogen of cashmere goats. Also, circRNA-1967 participates in the differentiation of SHF stem cells (SHF-SCs) into hair follicle lineage in cashmere goats. RNA pull-down assay verified that circRNA-1967 interacts with miR-93-3p. We also indicated that circRNA-1967 promoted LEF1 expression in SHF-SCs of cashmere goats. By dual-luciferase reporter analysis, we found that circRNA-1967 up-regulated LEF1 expression through the miR-93-3p-mediated pathway. The results from this study demonstrated that circRNA-1967 participated in the differentiation of goat SHF-SCs into hair follicle lineage by sponging miR-93-3p to enhance LEF1 expression. Our founding might constitute a novel pathway for revealing the potential mechanism of the differentiation of SHF-SCs into hair follicle lineage in cashmere goats. Also, these results provided a valuable basis for further enhancing the intrinsic regeneration of cashmere goat SHFs with the formation and growth of cashmere fibers.

摘要

环状RNA（circRNA）是一类新型非编码RNA，可以通过序列驱动的海绵机制与miRNA相互作用，从而调节其下游靶基因的表达。CircRNA-1967在绒山羊的次级毛囊（SHF）中被发现，但其功能尚不清楚。在这里，我们发现，circRNA-1967及其宿主基因BNC2在绒山羊生长期SHF凸起中的表达显着高于绒山羊休止期。此外，circRNA-1967 参与绒山羊 SHF 干细胞 (SHF-SC) 向毛囊谱系的分化。RNA Pull-down 测定验证了 circRNA-1967 与 miR-93-3p 相互作用。我们还表明，circRNA-1967 促进绒山羊 SHF-SC 中 LEF1 的表达。通过双荧光素酶报告基因分析，我们发现circRNA-1967通过miR-93-3p介导的途径上调LEF1表达。本研究结果表明，circRNA-1967 通过海绵 miR-93-3p 增强 LEF1 表达，参与山羊 SHF-SC 向毛囊谱系的分化。我们的发现可能构成一条新途径，揭示绒山羊中 SHF-SC 分化为毛囊谱系的潜在机制。此外，这些结果为进一步增强绒山羊SHF的内在再生以及绒纤维的形成和生长提供了宝贵的基础。我们的发现可能构成一条新途径，揭示绒山羊中 SHF-SC 分化为毛囊谱系的潜在机制。此外，这些结果为进一步增强绒山羊SHF的内在再生以及绒纤维的形成和生长提供了宝贵的基础。我们的发现可能构成一条新途径，揭示绒山羊中 SHF-SC 分化为毛囊谱系的潜在机制。此外，这些结果为进一步增强绒山羊SHF的内在再生以及绒纤维的形成和生长提供了宝贵的基础。