Comparison of miRNA-101a-3p and miRNA-144a-3p regulation with the key genes of alpaca melanocyte pigmentation

BACKGROUND: Many miRNA functions have been revealed to date. Single miRNAs can participate in life processes by regulating more than one target gene, and more than one miRNA can also simultaneously act on one target mRNA. Thus, a complex regulatory network involved in many processes can be formed. Herein, the pigmentation regulation mechanism of miR-101a-3p and miR-144a-3p was studied at the cellular level by the overexpression and equal overexpression of miR-101a-3p and miR-144a-3p. RESULTS: Results revealed that miR-101a-3p and miR-144a-3p directly regulated the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, thereby affecting melanin synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The two miRNAs with the same binding site in the same gene independently excreted each other’s function. However, the inhibitory effect of miR-144a-3p was stronger than that of miR-101-3p in alpaca melanocytes, although both decreased melanin production.