Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Potential Testosterone Function-Related Regulatory Genes/Pathways of Leydig Cells in Immature and Mature Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Testes

RNA from buffalo immature Leydig cells (ILCs) and adult Leydig cells (ALCs) were isolated and sequenced using BGI DNBseq. We found that development of Leydig cells from ILCs to ALCs was associated with decreased expression of genes related to cell cycle, cell junction, adhesion and increased expression of genes related to steroidogenesis and lipid transport. Based on functional enrichment analysis and network analysis, cAMP pathway may play a key role in the testosterone function of the buffalo was characterized during ILC-to-ALC transition. In brief, our discoveries will enhance our understanding of developmental mechanism studies related to buffalo Leydig cells testosterone function.

本研究分离提取了水牛未成熟莱迪希细胞（immature Leydig cells, ILCs）与成熟莱迪希细胞（adult Leydig cells, ALCs）的RNA，并采用BGI DNBseq技术完成测序。研究发现，莱迪希细胞从ILCs向ALCs的发育过程，与细胞周期、细胞连接、细胞黏附相关基因的表达下调，以及类固醇生成与脂质转运相关基因的表达上调密切相关。基于功能富集分析与网络分析，本研究明确了在ILCs向ALCs的转化过程中，cAMP信号通路可能在水牛睾酮功能调控中发挥关键作用。简言之，本研究的发现将有助于深化我们对水牛莱迪希细胞睾酮功能相关发育机制的理解。