Long non-coding RNAs expressed in pituitary development and specific cell types

ABSTRACT: Mammalian genomes contain thousands of genes for long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) that affect expression of other genes through diverse mechanisms. The lncRNA transcripts are longer than 200 nucleotides and are often capped, spliced and polyadenylated, but they are not translated into protein. Nuclear lncRNAs modify chromatin structure and transcription in trans or cis by interacting with the DNA, forming R-loops, and recruiting regulatory proteins. Not much is known about the role of lncRNA in pituitary gland differentiation and function. To develop a research resource for the study of lncRNA, we used cell-type specific cre transgenes to tag individual pituitary cell types in adult mice with fluorescent markers and enriched for thyrotropes, gonadotropes and somatotropes using fluorescence activated cell sorting. We determined the transcriptome of each cell population using RNA sequencing and mined the data for lncRNA. We detected hundreds of lncRNA in adult pituitary cells, and some were cell-type specific, and located immediately nearby genes that encode pituitary hormones or lineage-specific transcription factors. We also mined transcriptome data from mouse pituitary glands collected at embryonic days 12.5 and 14.5 and identified 351 unique lncRNAs, many of which are exclusively expressed during development. The location of many of these lncRNA suggests a cis-acting regulatory role for them in pituitary development or physiological function. This research resource sets the foundation examining the actions of lncRNAs on expression of their nearby genes during development and in response to physiological demand.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE277389 | GEO | 2025/01/01

REPOSITORIES: GEO