Transcriptome analysis of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs in the skeletal muscle of Tibetan chickens at different developmental stages

Introduction: As a valuable genetic resource, native birds can contribute to the sustainable development of animal production. Tibetan chickens, known for their special flavor, are one important local poultry breeds in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. However, chickens have slow growth rate and poor carcass traits compared with broilers. Although most research on focused hypoxic adaptation, there were fewer studies related skeletal muscle development. Methods: Here, we performed transcriptional sequencing leg muscles from chicken embryos at E (embryonic)10, E14, E18. Results: In total, 1,600, 4,610, 2,166 DE (differentially expressed) mRNAs, 210, 573, 234 lncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs), 52, 137, 33 miRNAs (microRNAs) detected between E10 E18, E14 respectively. Functional prediction showed several mRNAs target significantly enriched sarcomere organization, actin cytoskeleton myofibril, fiber development, other terms pathways Finally, lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA ceRNA (competing endogenous RNA) network associated which contained 6 lncRNAs, 13 miRNAs, 50 was constructed based screened RNAs by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment. These may play critical regulatory role chickens. Discussion: The results provide genomic resource potentially involved lay foundation further molecular mechanisms underlying