Single nucleotide polymorphisms affect miRNA target prediction in bovine

PLoS One. 2021 Apr 21;16(4):e0249406. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249406. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can have significant effects on phenotypic characteristics in cattle. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional regulators by binding them to target mRNAs. In the present study, we scanned ~56 million SNPs against 1,064 bovine miRNA sequences and analyzed, in silico, their possible effects on target binding prediction, primary miRNA formation, association with QTL regions and the evolutionary conservation for each SNP locus. Following target prediction, we show that 71.6% of miRNA predicted targets were altered as a consequence of SNPs located within the seed region of the mature miRNAs. Next, we identified variations in the Minimum Free Energy (MFE), which represents the capacity to alter molecule stability and, consequently, miRNA maturation. A total of 48.6% of the sequences analyzed showed values within those previously reported as sufficient to alter miRNA maturation. We have also found 131 SNPs in 46 miRNAs, with altered target prediction, occurring in QTL regions. Lastly, analysis of evolutionary conservation scores for each SNP locus suggested that they have a conserved biological function through the evolutionary process. Our results suggest that SNPs in microRNAs have the potential to affect bovine phenotypes and could be of great value for genetic improvement studies, as well as production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • MicroRNAs

Grants and funding

FLL is a PQ-2 Scholar of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Studentship to FRFA was financed by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Education (CAPES). Funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.