MicroRNA sequencing in control vs. 2 month estivating heart of Scaphiopus couchii

Scaphiopus couchii spends most of the year estivating underground in a hypometabolic state. They overcome significant dehydration and lack of food through many mechanisms including the use of microRNA (miRNA) to regulate gene expression. miRNAs are known to regulate translation by targeting mRNA for degradation or temporary storage. Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were used to assess changes in miRNA expression in response to two-month estivation and to predict the downstream effects of this expression. KEGG and GO analyses indicated that ribosome and cardiac muscle contraction are among the pathways predicted to be upregulated, whereas cell signaling and fatty acid metabolism were predicted to be downregulated. Together these results suggest that miRNAs contribute to the regulation of gene expression relating to cardiac muscle physiology and energy metabolism during estivation.