Analysis of the miRNA expression profile of laboratory red crucian carp under low-dose caesium-137 irradiation

Radiation can cause the differential expression of biological miRNA molecules. This research was based on the development of the laboratory red crucian carp (LRCC) to explore the feasibility of its application in the detection of low-dose ionizing radiation-induced biological damage in aquatic environments and the development of related molecular markers. Adult LRCC were irradiated with caesium-137 at 0.3 Gy, while RNA-seq and bioinformatics techniques were used to identify miRNAs that were differentially expressed relative to their levels in the nonirradiation group. Analysis of liver sections showed that liver cells in the radiation group showed nuclear pyknosis. In this study, 34 miRNAs differentially expressed in the liver of LRCC after irradiation were identified, among which seven were new crucian carp miRNAs; a total of 632 target genes were predicted in the prediction analysis. The results of comprehensive GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses showed that these target genes were mainly involved in energy transfer and material catabolism, especially malonyl-CoA biosynthesis, acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity, fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism; in addition, the AMPK signalling pathway was the most active pathway. This study shows that the LRCC is sensitive to radiation, or can be used as a candidate experimental animal to study the biological effects of radiation, and the screened miRNA can be used as a pre-selected biomarker for radiation damage detection and radiation biological environmental monitoring.

Automated summary

Radiation can cause differential expression of biological miRNA molecules. This study focused on the laboratory red crucian carp (LRCC) and explored its potential in detecting low-dose ionizing radiation-induced biological damage in aquatic environments. By using RNA-seq and bioinformatics techniques, it was discovered that LRCC liver cells showed nuclear pyknosis after irradiation, and 34 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, including 7 new crucian carp miRNAs. The predicted target genes were mainly involved in energy transfer and material catabolism, and the AMPK signalling pathway was the most active. These findings suggest that LRCC is sensitive to radiation and can be used as an experimental animal for studying the biological effects of radiation. Additionally, the screened miRNAs can serve as pre-selected biomarkers for radiation damage detection and environmental monitoring.