Identification and evaluation of the expression of regulators microRNAs of the intramuscular fat deposition in Nelore cattle

Abstract

Brazil is the second world leader in beef production and the expansion of exports is linked to the implementation of new tools for zebu cattles (Bos taurus indicus) selection, which represent approximately 80% of the total herd. The quantity and deposition of intramuscular fat can influence the sensory characteristics and nutritional value of beef, thus the selection of animals with adequate fat content for consumer becomes important. This trait shows to be complex by difficult to measure, this way it is necessary to have a deepen knowledge of gene pathways and regulators that controls it. With the advent of next generation sequencing technologies, currently, is possible to study the genome and transcriptome in large-scale, faster and more cheaply. This project aims to identify known and novel microRNAs, as well as changes of expression of these molecules, which are associated with the deposition of intramuscular fat in Nelore cattle muscle samples. Will be used animals from a population generated from the Embrapa's thematic project "Genetic strategies for quality beef production", completed in 2012. Muscle tissue samples were already collected and measured its phenotypes. Total RNA of 30 animals with extreme genomic estimated values (GEBV) for intramuscular fat deposition was extracted and the microRNA libraries samples will be constructed and sequenced in Illumina platform equipment. Finally, analysis of identification and differential expression will be performed by means of bioinformatics tools. (AU)