ZNF516基因环状RNAcirc-13267调控蛋鸭卵泡发育的功能和作用机制研究

卵泡发育与蛋鸭的产蛋性能密切相关，从多角度阐明卵泡发育的调控机制有助于解决我国地方蛋鸭品种产蛋率低的问题。申请人前期研究发现，ZNF516基因具有环状转录本（circ-13267），是蛋鸭等级前和等级卵泡中表达量差异最大的环状RNA，在蛋鸭等级前卵泡中高表达。环状RNA是具有重要调控功能的非编码RNA，参与多种生物学过程。然而，circ-13267在蛋鸭卵泡发育中的调控机制尚不清楚。因此，本项目以地方蛋鸭荆江鸭为研究对象，重点分析circ-13267在卵泡发育中的调控作用；通过CHIPR等技术分析circ-13267调控的目标基因、作用位点及参与该过程的相关蛋白质，阐明circ-13267调控蛋鸭卵泡发育的机制，并利用原始卵泡模型和活体动物模型验证circ-13267在蛋鸭卵泡发育中的功能。本项目将阐明卵泡发育的新机制，拓展circRNA的功能与作用机制，为蛋鸭卵泡发育调控提供理论依据。

Follicular development is closely related to laying performance for laying ducks. Uncovering the mechanism of follicle development will be helping to resolve the low laying performance for Chinese local laying duck. In our previous study, we found that the gene Zinc finger protein 516 can transcribe the circular RNA (we named it as circ-13267). Duck circ-13267 was the most different expressed circRNA between pre-hierarchical follicles and pre-ovulatory follicles, and it was highly expressed in pre-hierarchical follicles. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) were a new type of specific non-coding RNA which plays important roles in the regulation of various biological processes. CircRNAs can participate in regulating the gene expression through many ways. However, the function of circ-13267 for regulating the follicle development was still unknown. Hence, in this project we firstly analyze the correlations between circ-13267 expression and follicle development of Chinese local duck breed (Jingjiang duck) to clarify its effects on follicle development. In addition, we explore the target genes, the exact positions and the proteins involved in follicle development mainly by the CHIPR technology. Finally, the functions of circ-13267 are verified by the primordial follicle model and in vivo animal model. This study will clarify the regulation mechanisms of circ-13267 on duck follicle development and expand our knowledge about the function and mechanism of circRNA. Also, this work will provide theoretical foundation for follicular development in duck.