Characterization of skeletal muscle microRNAs in normal and intrauterine growth retarded neonatal piglets

MicroRNAs have been found to play important roles in many biological processes. In this study, miRNAs in the skeletal muscle of normal and IUGR neonatal piglets were identified by sequencing. A total of 403 miRNAs were identified in neonatal piglet skeletal muscle, 30 miRNAs were up-regulated and 46 miRNAs were down-regulated in IUGR pigs. Up-regulated miRNAs are mainly enriched in Propanoate metabolism, Endocytosis, beta-Alanine metabolism, Gap junction and TNF signaling pathway. Down-regulated miRNAs were mainly enriched in Chemical carcinogenesis - receptor activation, Endocytosis, MAPK signaling pathway, Insulin resistance and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance.Our results provide a reference for further study of the function of porcine miRNAs and enrichment of the regulatory network of porcine skeletal muscle development.