Expression profiles of microRNAs in fetus and lamb muscle tissue.

We report the application of single-molecule-based sequencing technology for high-throughput profiling of miRNAs in goat muscle tissue.We identified 1120 miRNAs in fetus and lamb muscle tissue; 895 were known miRNAs and 313 were novel miRNAs. According to analysis, 192 miRNAs were up-regulated in fetus samples compared to lamb samples, while 121 miRNAs were down-regulated.To confirmed stage-specific differences in the abundance of certain miRNAs, we focused on the most up-regulated miRNA and found to be predominantly expressed in lamb muscle tissue, suggesting a potential role in muscle development.It has become a molecular marker for breeding programs of mutton production. Overall design: MicroRNA profiles in the longissimus muscle of fetus (75 day of pregnancy) and lamb (1 day of age)