Whole transcriptomic analysis revealed the effects of different dietary protein levels on the growth and development of Jersey-yak

Abstract Background The Jersey-yak, a hybrid offspring of Jersey cattle and yak, exhibits characteristics such as strong adaptability, rapid growth and development, and outstanding production performance. Therefore, it is necessary to find a reasonable supplemental feeding scheme and the regulation mechanism of the growth and development basis of Jersey-yak. Results In this study, we established transcriptomic information for lncRNAs, circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in the skeletal muscle tissue of Jersey-yak, and constructed a ceRNA network using differentially expressed RNAs. We identified 429, 298, and 84 differentially expressed mRNAs, 394, 356, and 302 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 212, 234, and 20 differentially expressed circRNAs, and 6, 7, and 6 differentially expressed miRNAs in LP vs. MP, LP vs. HP, and MP vs. HP, respectively. These genes were found to be involved in skeletal muscle development, cell proliferation and differentiation, and various signaling pathways, such as metabolic processes, adipose tissue development, and regulation of peptidase activity, as well as signaling pathways including PI3K-Akt, MAPK, HIF-1, Wnt, and Notch. Subsequently, we constructed three competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, including DEGs, DELs, DECs and DEMs. In this network diagram, it mainly includes 6 miRNAs, 6 circRNAs, 8 mRNAs and multiple lncRNAs. These interactions affect the specific biological processes during the growth and development of Jersey-yak: MSTRG.1705804.4-bgrcirc_016930-bgr-undef-579-LASP1, MSTRG.24136.1-bgrcirc_004446-bgr-undef-67-NAGA/PDRG1, MSTRG.155383.1-bgrcirc_004326-bgr-undef-29-PRAG1/ACSF3 may affect the growth and development of Jersey-yak. Conclusions The whole transcriptome sequencing of Jersey-yak screened several key genes and ceRNA regulatory networks. These genes may be involved in biological processes such as metabolic processes, cell proliferation and adipose tissue development, as well as PI3K-Akt, MAPK and Notch signaling pathways involved in regulating the growth and development of Jersey-yak. These findings are helpful to further study the muscle development mechanism of yak hybrid offspring.