Modulation of hepatic miRNA expression in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) by family background and dietary fatty acid composition

This study finds significant differences in hepatic fatty acid composition between four groups of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) consisting of offspring from families selected for high and low capacities to express the delta 6 desaturase isomer b and fed diets with 10% or 75% fish oil. The results demonstrated that hepatic lipid metabolism was affected by experimental conditions (diet/family). The fatty acid composition in the four groups mirrored the differences in dietary composition, but it was also associated with the family groups. Small RNA sequencing followed by RT‐qPCR identified 12 differentially expressed microRNAs (DE miRNAs), with expression associated with family groups (miR‐146 family members, miR‐200b, miR‐214, miR‐221, miR‐125, miR‐135, miR‐137, miR_nov_1), diets (miR‐203, miR‐462) or both conditions. All the conserved DE miRNAs have been reported as associated with lipid metabolism in other vertebrates. In silico predictions revealed 37 lipid metabolism pathway genes, including desaturases, transcription factors and key enzymes in the synthesis pathways as putative targets (e.g., srebp‐1 and 2, Δ6fad_b and c, hmdh, elovl4 and 5b, cdc42). RT‐qPCR analysis of selected target genes showed expression changes that were associated with diet and with family groups (d5fad, d6fad_a, srebp‐1). There was a reciprocal difference in the abundance of ssa‐miR‐203a‐3p and srebp‐1 in one group comparison, whereas other predicted targets did not reveal any evidence of being negatively regulated by degradation. More experimental studies are needed to validate and fully understand the predicted interactions and how the DE miRNAs may participate in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism.