Whole transcriptomic analysis revealed the effects of different dietary protein levels on the growth and development of Jersey-yak

Background The Jersey-yak, a hybrid offspring of Jersey cattle and yak, exhibits characteristics such as strong adaptability, rapid growth and development, and outstanding production performance. During the dry season, the forage available in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region fails to meet the nutritional requirements for the growth and development of Jersey-yak. Therefore, this study conducted appropriate supplementary feeding for Jersey-yak cattle during the dry season and used whole-transcriptome sequencing technology (RNA-Seq) to screen for differentially expressed RNAs across different comparison groups, providing a theoretical basis for the rational supplementary feeding of Jersey-yak.Results In this study, we established transcriptomic information for lncRNAs, circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in the skeletal muscle tissue of Jersey-yak, and constructed a ceRNA network using differentially expressed RNAs. We identified 429, 298, and 84 differentially expressed mRNAs, 394, 356, and 302 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 212, 234, and 20 differentially expressed circRNAs, and 6, 7, and 6 differentially expressed miRNAs in LP vs. MP, LP vs. HP, and MP vs. HP, respectively. These genes were found to be involved in skeletal muscle development, cell proliferation and differentiation, and various signaling pathways, such as metabolic processes, adipose tissue development, and regulation of peptidase activity, as well as signaling pathways including PI3K-Akt, MAPK, HIF-1, Wnt, and Notch. Subsequently, we constructed three competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, including DEGs, DELs, DECs and DEMs. In this network diagram, it mainly includes 6 miRNAs, 6 circRNAs, 8 mRNAs and multiple lncRNAs. These interactions affect the specific biological processes during the growth and development of Jersey-yak: MSTRG.1705804.4-bgrcirc-016930-bgr-undef-579-LASP1, MSTRG.24136.1-bgrcirc-004446-bgr-undef-67-NAGA / PDRG1, MSTRG.155383.1-bgrcirc-004326-bgr-undef-29-PRAG1 / ACSF3 may affect the growth and development of Jersey-yak.Conclusions Whole transcriptome sequencing of the Jersey-yak identified several key genes and ceRNA regulatory networks that may be involved in biological processes such as metabolic processes, cell proliferation, and adipose tissue development, as well as protein digestion and absorption, regulation of adipocyte lipolysis, and signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and Notch that regulate yak growth and development. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying muscle development in yak hybrid offspring.