# Differential expression of long non-coding RNA in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis of Wanxi white geese during laying and broodiness periods

## TL;DR

This study identifies lncRNAs and their regulatory networks in the HPG axis of geese, revealing how they influence egg-laying and brooding behavior.

## Contribution

The study reveals novel lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks involved in regulating laying performance and broodiness in geese.

## Key findings

- 184-880 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified in HPG tissues during laying and brooding periods.
- Key lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axes like MSTRG.1166.1/miR-450-x/SOX8 were confirmed to regulate ovarian development.
- Functional enrichment showed pathways like steroid hormone biosynthesis and calcium signaling are affected.

## Abstract

This study explored the molecular mechanism of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis on the regulation of brooding behavior and laying performance of Wanxi white geese (WWG). The transcriptome of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovarian tissues of laying and brooding WWG was sequenced to identify genes and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that may be important in regulating the egg-laying performance and broodiness behavior of WWG.

This study sequenced the lncRNA on the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovarian tissues of WWG white geese during laying and broodiness periods to determine the differentially expressed lncRNA (DElncRNA) in the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis. lncRNA-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) (ceRNA) regulatory network was constructed using selected differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs), and DElncRNAs. Differentially expressed DEGs, DEMs, and DElncRNAs were further confirmed via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed a targeting relationship between the MSTRG.1166. 1/miR-450-x/SOX8 axis.

A total of 184 (brooding period hypothalamus vs laying period hypothalamus), 180 (brooding period pituitary vs laying period pituitary), and 880 (brooding period ovary vs laying period ovary) DElncRNAs were screened. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analysis showed that the DElncRNAs significantly enriched Steroid hormone biosynthesis, Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, Calcium signaling, and other pathways. The ceRNA regulatory network of laying performance and nesting behavior was constructed through the database. MSTRG.1166.1-miR-450-x-SOX8, MSTRG. 7163.5-miR-182-x-CSMD1, XR_007167835.1-miR-277-z-RAB3B, MSTRG. 7163.5-miR-151-y-PAQR9, MSTRG.4615.2-miR-96-x-DAPK1, XR_ 007164924.1-miR-144-y-TFPI, XR_007161186.1-miR-205-x-THRB, MSTRG.10196.1/ XR_001206277.2-miR-339-x-TRAF4, and MSTRG.9442.1-miR-9-y-FBN3 may play an important role in the ovarian development of WWG. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed a targeting relationship between the MSTRG.1166.1/miR-450-x/SOX8 axis. The results of this study systematically expounded on how the HPG axis involves lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA to post-transcriptionally regulate the broodiness behavior and laying performance of WWG.

The results will improve knowledge of the complex interaction between lncRNA and genes controlling laying performance and broodiness behavior.