miRNA-200a suppresses GNAI1 and PLCB4 to modulate skin pigmentation in cashmere goats
Abstract Coat colour formation in mammals is influenced by melanogenesis and pigmentation processes regulated by miRNAs, including miRNA-200a. Although miRNA-200a is differentially expressed in the skin of cashmere goats with varying coat colours, its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this st...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01956-6 |
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| author | Jianping Li Baoyu Zhang Runlai Liu Xinyu Li Xuezhao Sun Qiaoling Zhang |
| author_facet | Jianping Li Baoyu Zhang Runlai Liu Xinyu Li Xuezhao Sun Qiaoling Zhang |
| author_sort | Jianping Li |
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| description | Abstract Coat colour formation in mammals is influenced by melanogenesis and pigmentation processes regulated by miRNAs, including miRNA-200a. Although miRNA-200a is differentially expressed in the skin of cashmere goats with varying coat colours, its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, miRNA-200a target genes were predicted using miRBase and TargetScan, identifying GNAI1 and PLCB4 as the target genes through GO and KEGG analyses. Dual-luciferase assays using wild-type and mutant plasmids confirmed a direct interaction between miRNA-200a and the 3’UTR regions of these genes. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses demonstrated that the expression levels of miRNA-200a and its target genes differed significantly between black and white goat skin. In HaCaT cells, transfection with miRNA-200a mimics or inhibitors altered GNAI1 and PLCB4 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. To validate these findings in vivo, subcutaneous injection of antagomiR-200a into BALB/c mice significantly reduced melanin content (P < 0.01) and increased the expression of GNAI1 and PLCB4. These results indicate that miRNA-200a modulates skin pigmentation by suppressing GNAI1 and PLCB4, thereby influencing coat colour in cashmere goats. This study provides a foundational understanding for leveraging genetic regulation to enhance coat colour diversity and develop naturally pigmented breeds. |
| format | Article |
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| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-2a241cef88d34b3f95722b9abd1ca98d2025-08-20T01:53:12ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-01956-6miRNA-200a suppresses GNAI1 and PLCB4 to modulate skin pigmentation in cashmere goatsJianping Li0Baoyu Zhang1Runlai Liu2Xinyu Li3Xuezhao Sun4Qiaoling Zhang5College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin UniversityAbstract Coat colour formation in mammals is influenced by melanogenesis and pigmentation processes regulated by miRNAs, including miRNA-200a. Although miRNA-200a is differentially expressed in the skin of cashmere goats with varying coat colours, its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, miRNA-200a target genes were predicted using miRBase and TargetScan, identifying GNAI1 and PLCB4 as the target genes through GO and KEGG analyses. Dual-luciferase assays using wild-type and mutant plasmids confirmed a direct interaction between miRNA-200a and the 3’UTR regions of these genes. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses demonstrated that the expression levels of miRNA-200a and its target genes differed significantly between black and white goat skin. In HaCaT cells, transfection with miRNA-200a mimics or inhibitors altered GNAI1 and PLCB4 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. To validate these findings in vivo, subcutaneous injection of antagomiR-200a into BALB/c mice significantly reduced melanin content (P < 0.01) and increased the expression of GNAI1 and PLCB4. These results indicate that miRNA-200a modulates skin pigmentation by suppressing GNAI1 and PLCB4, thereby influencing coat colour in cashmere goats. This study provides a foundational understanding for leveraging genetic regulation to enhance coat colour diversity and develop naturally pigmented breeds.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01956-6Cashmere goatCoat colourMiRNA-200aGNAI1PLCB4Pigmentation |
| spellingShingle | Jianping Li Baoyu Zhang Runlai Liu Xinyu Li Xuezhao Sun Qiaoling Zhang miRNA-200a suppresses GNAI1 and PLCB4 to modulate skin pigmentation in cashmere goats Scientific Reports Cashmere goat Coat colour MiRNA-200a GNAI1 PLCB4 Pigmentation |
| title | miRNA-200a suppresses GNAI1 and PLCB4 to modulate skin pigmentation in cashmere goats |
| title_full | miRNA-200a suppresses GNAI1 and PLCB4 to modulate skin pigmentation in cashmere goats |
| title_fullStr | miRNA-200a suppresses GNAI1 and PLCB4 to modulate skin pigmentation in cashmere goats |
| title_full_unstemmed | miRNA-200a suppresses GNAI1 and PLCB4 to modulate skin pigmentation in cashmere goats |
| title_short | miRNA-200a suppresses GNAI1 and PLCB4 to modulate skin pigmentation in cashmere goats |
| title_sort | mirna 200a suppresses gnai1 and plcb4 to modulate skin pigmentation in cashmere goats |
| topic | Cashmere goat Coat colour MiRNA-200a GNAI1 PLCB4 Pigmentation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01956-6 |
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