China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2020, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (10): 3278-3288.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2020.10.027

• Genetics and Breeding • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Progress on miRNA in Regulation of Main Economic Traits in Pigs

WANG Wei1, MA Yanping3, GUN Shuangbao1,2   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China;
    2. Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou 730070, China;
    3. Gansu Agricultural University Library, Lanzhou 730070, China
  • Received:2020-04-05 Online:2020-10-20 Published:2020-10-17

Abstract: microRNA (miRNA) is a class of endogenous single-stranded non-coding small RNA that is widely found in eukaryotes,with a length of about 21-22 nt,which regulate gene expression in a specific sequence complementary binding manner.In the classical miRNA mechanism of action,miRNAs are usually completely or incompletely complementary to the 3'UTR seed region sequence of the target gene,thereby regulating the expression of the target gene at the post-transcriptional level.More and more reports have confirmed that miRNA can also be combined with the target gene 5'UTR region,coding region and promoter region,and then participate in complex gene regulation processes.With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology and molecular biology experimental technology,a large number of miRNA have been identified and their biological mechanisms involved in regulation have been gradually revealed.A large number of studies have shown that miRNA can participate in biological processes such as animal reproduction,growth and development,metabolism and disease regulation,and is of great significance for maintaining normal life activities.In the genetic improvement of pigs,the improvement of the main economic traits (reproduction,growth and development,carcass quality,disease resistance,etc.) and the selection of excellent varieties are inevitable trends in the future development of the breeding industry.Therefore,the author reviews the mechanism of miRNA synthesis and action,as well as recent studies on swine reproductive regulation,muscle development,fat deposition and resistance to disease infections.It provides a reference for systematically understanding the application of miRNA in the regulation of important economic traits in pigs,and provides a basis for further research on related genetic breeding.

Key words: miRNA; pigs; reproductive regulation; muscle development; fat deposition; disease resistance

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