4.4 Article

Transcriptomic characterization elucidates a signaling network that controls antler growth

Journal

GENOME
Volume 61, Issue 12, Pages 829-841

Publisher

CANADIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING
DOI: 10.1139/gen-2017-0241

Keywords

antler; rapid growth; RNA-Seq; differentially expressed genes; signaling pathways

Funding

  1. Science and Technology Development Project of Jilin Province [20170520044JH]
  2. Technology Project of Jilin Provincial Education Department [JJKH20170721KJ]
  3. TCM Clinical Research Center for Bone diseases of Jilin Province [20180623048TC]
  4. National Natural Science Foundation of China [81702136]

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Deer antlers are amazing appendages with the fastest growth rate among mammalian organs. Antler growth is driven by the growth center through a modified endochondral ossification process. Thus, identification of signaling pathways functioning in antler growth center would help us to uncover the underlying molecular mechanism of rapid antler growth. Furthermore, exploring and dissecting the molecular mechanism that regulates antler growth is extremely important and helpful for identifying methods to enhance long bone growth and treat cartilage-and bone-related diseases. In this study, we build a comprehensive intercellular signaling network in antler growth centers from both the slow growth stage and rapid growth stage using a state-of-art RNA-Seq approach. This network includes differentially expressed genes that regulate the activation of multiple signaling pathways, including the regulation of actin cytoskeleton, calcium signaling, and adherens junction. These signaling pathways coordinately control multiple biological processes, including chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation, matrix homeostasis, mechanobiology, and aging processes, during antler growth in a comprehensive and efficient manner. Therefore, our study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating antler growth and provides valuable and powerful insight for medical research on therapeutic strategies targeting skeletal disorders and related cartilage and bone diseases.

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