Data Sheet 1_Cross-kingdom regulation of gene expression in giant pandas via plant-derived miRNA.zip

Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) belong to the order Carnivora, but they mainly feed on bamboo, and their unique dietary adaptability has always been the focus of research. Recent research indicates that plant-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) can be delivered to animal organisms via exosomes and exert cross-kingdom regulatory effects on gene expression. To explore the role of plant-derived miRNAs in the dietary adaptation of giant pandas, we collected peripheral blood samples from three groups of pandas: juvenile females, adult females, and adult males—and extracted exosomes from the blood for small RNA sequencing. Additionally, three types of bamboo (shoots, stems, and leaves) consumed by the pandas were sampled for miRNA sequencing. Through comparative analysis, we identified 57 bamboo-derived miRNAs in the extracellular exosomes of giant panda peripheral blood. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses of the target genes for these miRNAs revealed their involvement in various pathways, including taste and olfactory signal transduction, digestion and absorption, and hormonal signal transduction. Furthermore, we found that plant-derived miRNAs can modulate dopamine metabolism in giant pandas, thereby influencing their food preferences. This study shows that plant-derived miRNAs can enter the bloodstream of giant pandas and exert cross-kingdom regulatory effects, potentially playing a vital role in their dietary adaptation process.

大熊猫（Ailuropoda melanoleuca）隶属于食肉目（Carnivora），但主要以竹子为食，其独特的食性适应性始终是研究的焦点。近期研究表明，植物源性微小核糖核酸（microRNAs, miRNAs）可通过外泌体（exosomes）传递至动物机体，并对基因表达发挥跨界调控作用。为探究植物源性miRNAs在大熊猫食性适应中的作用，本研究采集了三组大熊猫的外周血样本：幼年雌性、成年雌性与成年雄性，并从血液中提取外泌体进行小RNA测序；同时采集大熊猫所食用的三种竹子组织（笋、茎、叶）开展miRNA测序。通过对比分析，我们在大熊猫外周血的细胞外外泌体中鉴定出57种竹子源性miRNAs。对这些miRNAs的靶基因进行基因本体论（Gene Ontology, GO）与京都基因与基因组百科全书（Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, KEGG）功能富集分析后发现，其参与味觉与嗅觉信号转导、消化吸收及激素信号转导等多条通路。此外，本研究发现植物源性miRNAs可调控大熊猫体内的多巴胺代谢，进而影响其食物偏好。本研究证实，植物源性miRNAs可进入大熊猫血液循环并发挥跨界调控作用，可能在其食性适应过程中发挥至关重要的作用。