Identification and characterization of circular RNAs in mammary gland tissue from sheep at peak lactation and during the nonlactating period

ABSTRACT Circular RNAs are a class of noncoding RNA with widespread occurrence in eukaryote tissues, and some having been demonstrated to have clear biological function. In sheep, little is known about the role circular mammary gland tissue, therefore an sequencing approach was used compare tissue expression 9 Small Tail Han sheep at peak lactation, subsequently when they were not lactating. These had their pooled for analysis into 3 libraries from lactation nonlactating period. A total 3,278 1,756 identified respectively, identity them confirmed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction DNA sequencing. The type, chromosomal location length ascertained. Forty upregulated one downregulated characterized compared tissue. Gene ontology enrichment revealed that parental genes these differentially expressed related molecular function, binding, protein ATP ion binding. Five selected further predict target microRNAs, microRNAs reportedly associated development found constructed RNA–microRNA network. This study reveals profiles characterization 2 key stages activity, thereby providing improved understanding roles sheep.