Construction of a molecular regulatory network related to fat deposition by multi-tissue transcriptome sequencing of Jiaxian red cattle

Intramuscular fat (IMF) refers to the fat that accumulates between muscle bundles or within muscle cells, whose content significantly impacts the taste, tenderness, and flavor of meat products, making it a crucial economic characteristic in livestock production. However, the intricate mechanisms governing IMF deposition, involving non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), genes, and complex regulatory networks, remain largely enigmatic. Identifying adipose tissue-specific genes and ncRNAs is paramount to unravel these molecular mysteries. This study, conducted on Jiaxian red cattle, harnessed whole transcriptome sequencing to unearth the nuances of circRNAs and miRNAs across seven distinct tissues. The interplay of these ncRNAs was assessed through differential expression analysis and network analysis. These findings are not only pivotal in unveiling the intricacies of fat deposition mechanisms but also lay a robust foundation for future research, setting the stage for enhancing IMF content in Jiaxian red cattle breeding. [Display omitted] •Intramuscular fat deposition plays a crucial role in the meat quality of Jiaxian red cattle•RNA-Seq identifies non-coding RNAs in various tissues of Jiaxian red cattle•DE analysis and WGCNA profiling unveil non-coding RNAs relevant to adipose function•Construct a non-coding RNA competitive binding network influencing adipose deposition Beef cattle genetics; Beef cattle molecular biology; Gene network; Transcriptomics