Abstract
To date, more than 170 chemical modifications have been identified in RNA. m(6)A (N(6)-methyladenine) RNA methylation is the most abundant form of mRNA modification in eukaryotes, playing an important role in RNA post-transcriptional processes. To investigate the function of m(6)A methylation modification in the development and lactation of dairy goat mammary glands, mammary gland tissue samples were collected in the early (20 days postpartum), peak (90 days postpartum), and late period (210 days postpartum) of three dairy goats. MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq were used to explore m(6)A methylation modification events. We identified 1638 differential peaks in the MeRIP-seq data across 1539 differentially methylated genes, which were enriched in ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, MAPK, and other pathways related to mammary gland development and lactation. A conjoint analysis revealed that 179 common differential expressed genes were obtained, of which 150 were negatively regulated by their m(6)A modifications, while 5 common differentially expressed genes-PPARG, HSPA2, CDK5, ACTB and NOTCH3, were screened out in the two groups. In conclusion, m(6)A modification involves the pathways related to mammary gland development and lactation by modifying gene expression. This studyprovides new insights into m(6)A epigenetic regulation, mammary epithelial gene networks, and actionable molecular targets for high-value dairy product production and the breeding of new varieties.