Bta-miR-125a Regulates Milk-Fat Synthesis by Targeting SAA1 mRNA in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells

The nutritional value of cow milk mainly depends on its fatty acid content and protein composition. identification genes controlling production traits their regulatory mechanisms is particularly important for accelerating genetic progress in the breeding dairy cows. On basis mammary gland transcriptome analyses, this study we identified an miRNA, bta-miR-125a, that could control bovine milk-fat by targeting 3′ untranslated region (UTR) serum amyloid A-1 (SAA1) mRNA. presence synthetic bta-miR-125a (i.e., miR-125a mimic) significantly down-regulated expression luciferase from mRNAs containing binding sequence 3′-UTR a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, mimic decreased steady-state level SAA1 protein, but increased accumulation triglycerides cholesterol epithelial cells (MAC-Ts). Blocking function using specific inhibitor cells. These results indicate can serve as positive regulator lipid synthesis cells, which acts gene expression.