Hypoxia Stress-Induced miRNAs: A Comprehensive Enrichment Analysis in High-Altitude Livestock

¹ University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, 140413
² DRDO-DIHAR (Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research, Leh-Ladakh)
³ Department of Biotechnology, Research & Incubation Centre, Rayat Bahra University, Chandigarh-Ropar NH 205, Greater Mohali, Punjab, 140103, India

^* Corresponding author: jasdeep.e9434@cumail.in

Abstract

MicroRNAs are short (~22 nucleotides) endogenous non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to the 3’ UTRs of target mRNAs. Many cancer types demonstrate significantly altered miRNA expression profiles, highlighting their potential utility as diagnostic biomarkers for specific malignancies. Hypoxia, characterized by insufficient oxygen levels, triggers a diverse array of pathways at both cellular and organismal levels, ultimately restoring oxygen homeostasis. While physiological responses to hypoxia have been well-documented, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms at the cellular level remains under investigation. Additionally, reports on high-altitude hypoxia-associated miRNA regulation in livestock are notably limited, with no existing studies from India. In the present study, we identified differentially expressed miRNAs in response to high-altitude hypoxia in cattle, pigs, and yaks. 162 differentially expressed miRNAs were observed. Gene ontology enrichment analysis was conducted to find the target mRNA genes regulated by differentially expressed miRNA and a total of 141 mRNA putative targets were identified from them. A total of 2,162 miRNA-target interactions were predicted across four species: Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, Bos taurus, and Sus scrofa. Three distinct online tools -TargetScanHuman, TarBase v8, and miRDB were employed to predict the target genes of selected differentially expressed miRNAs. The study concluded that miRNAs are critical for the adaptative responses of farm animals to high-altitude hypoxia.