MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNA molecules, which participate in major cellular processes including metabolism, cell signalling and mechanisms associated with immunity. They have been reported to play an immense role in the regulation of gene expression through their effect on translational repression and gene silencing mechanisms. Recent studies reported the involvement of miRNA, miR-451 in various immune related and cell signalling pathways in many species. As an attempt to understand the regulatory role of miR-451 in immune responses, the present study was undertaken to analyse the differential expression of bta-miR-451 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of crossbred and Vechur cattle after challenging the cells with bacterial endotoxin; llipopolysaccharide (LPS) which acts as the strong stimulators of innate immunity. Significant up regulation was noticed in the expression of bta-miR-451 in LPS stimulated PBMCs of Vechur cattle compared to that of crossbred cattle. Pathway analysis as well as protein- protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of the predicted targets of bta-miRNA-451 also revealed significant association of the miRNA on various immune related mechanisms. As native cattle breeds are supposed to be having high disease resistance, heat tolerance and general adaptability compared to the existing crossbred cattle population, the findings of the present study may contribute in understanding the regulatory role of miRNAs in conferring immunological sturdiness to Vechur cattle, one of the indigenous cattle breed of Kerala.

Highlights

• Significant differences in the expression of miRNA, bta-miR-451 between LPS treated PBMCs of crossbred and Vechur cattle
• Association of target genes of bta-miR-451 in immune related pathways
• Support alleged disease resistance potential of native cattle breeds