Differential microRNA Expression in Longissimus Dorsi Muscle of Anhui White Goat

The quality of muscle is a significant economic trait in livestock, the development of which is contingent on the coordinated regulation of both coding and non-coding genes. The Anhui White Goat is a breed that is native to central China. It is characterised by its high levels of adaptability and tolerance, which enable it to thrive under extensive management conditions. Furthermore, it is renowned for producing meat that is particularly flavourful. However, in comparison with the growth rate and meat yield of introduced breeds such as the Boer goat, the local breed exhibits a lower level of productivity. In the present study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptomes of longissimus dorsi muscle samples from Anhui White Goats and Boer Goats. We identified 490 key candidate microRNAs associated with muscle growth and development, among which 19 were differentially expressed (|log₂FC| ≥ 1.5, P < 0.05), including 7 up-regulated and 12 down-regulated microRNAs. Further prediction of the target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs revealed that these miRNAs target genes such as BDNF, MAPT, MYB, STC1, and SMAD7. These target genes are primarily involved in signaling pathways including MAPK, GABAergic synapse, HIF-1, Toll-like receptor, PI3K/Akt, and cAMP. Subsequent refinement revealed five key candidate microRNAs potentially involved in this process: chi-miR-10b-5p, chi-miR-122, chi-miR-novel-7_9719, chi-miR-143-3p, and chi-miR-424-3p. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle growth and development in Anhui White Goats.