Differentially expressed miRNAs offer new perspective into cave adaptation of Astyanax mexicanus.

ABSTRACT: Astyanax mexicanus, a species with both surface-dwelling and multiple cave-dwelling populations, offers a unique opportunity to study repeated adaptation to dark and resource-scarce environments. While previous work has identified large-scale gene expression changes between morphs under even identical laboratory conditions, the regulatory basis of these expression differences remains largely unexplored. In this study, we focus on microRNAs (miRNAs) as key regulators of gene expression. Our analysis identified 683 mature miRNAs, establishing the first comprehensive catalog of miRNAs for this species. We identified a unique subset of differentially expressed miRNAs common to all studied cave-dwelling populations, potentially orchestrating the nuanced gene expression patterns required for sur

SUBMITTER: Biswas T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11998478 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature