Transcriptome Studies Reveal the N6-Methyladenosine Differences in Testis of Yaks at Juvenile and Sexual Maturity Stages

Studying the mechanism of spermatogenesis is key to exploring the reproductive characteristics of male yaks. Although N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) RNA modification has been reported to regulate spermatogenesis and reproductive function in mammals, the molecular mechanism of m(6)A in yak testis development and spermatogenesis remains largely unknown. Therefore, we collected testicular tissue from juvenile and adult yaks and found that the m(6)A level significantly increased after sexual maturity in yaks. In MeRIP-seq, 1702 hypermethylated peaks and 724 hypomethylated peaks were identified. The hypermethylated differentially methylated RNAs (DMRs) (CIB2, AK1, FOXJ2, PKDREJ, SLC9A3, and TOPAZ1) mainly regulated spermatogenesis. Functional enrichment analysis showed that DMRs were significantly enriched in the adherens junction, gap junction, and Wnt, PI3K, and mTOR signaling pathways, regulating cell development, spermatogenesis, and testicular endocrine function. The functional analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that they were involved in the biological processes of mitosis, meiosis, and flagellated sperm motility during the sexual maturity of yak testis. We also screened the key regulatory factors of testis development and spermatogenesis by combined analysis, which included BRCA1, CREBBP, STAT3, and SMAD4. This study indexed the m(6)A characteristics of yak testicles at different developmental stages, providing basic data for further research of m(6)A modification regulating yak testicular development.

Automated summary

This study investigates the mechanism of m(6)A RNA modification in yak testis development and spermatogenesis. The results show that the m(6)A level significantly increases after sexual maturity in yaks. Functional analysis reveals that m(6)A modification mainly regulates spermatogenesis and is involved in various signaling pathways. Key regulatory factors of testis development and spermatogenesis are also identified.