Single-Cell Transcriptomics Analysis Reveals a Cell Atlas and Cell Communication in Yak Ovary

Yaks ( ) are the only bovine species that adapt well to the harsh high-altitude environment in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. However, the reproductive adaptation to the climate of the high elevation remains to be elucidated. Cell composition and molecular characteristics are the foundation of normal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular sciences 2023-01, Vol.24 (3), p.1839
Main Authors: Pei, Jie, Xiong, Lin, Guo, Shaoke, Wang, Xingdong, La, Yongfu, Chu, Min, Liang, Chunnian, Yan, Ping, Guo, Xian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
Adaptation, Physiological
Animals
Annotations
Bos grunniens
Cattle
Cells
Communication
Endothelial Cells
Environment
Female
Gene expression
Genomes
High altitude environments
Homeostasis
Immunofluorescence
Ligands
Macrophages
Muscles
Natural killer cells
Ontology
Ovaries
Ovary
Ovulation
Puberty
Quality control
Smooth muscle
Stromal cells
Theca
Transcriptome
Transcriptomics
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Summary:Yaks ( ) are the only bovine species that adapt well to the harsh high-altitude environment in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. However, the reproductive adaptation to the climate of the high elevation remains to be elucidated. Cell composition and molecular characteristics are the foundation of normal ovary function which determines reproductive performance. So, delineating ovarian characteristics at a cellular molecular level is conducive to elucidating the mechanism underlying the reproductive adaption of yaks. Here, the single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to depict an atlas containing different cell types with specific molecular signatures in the yak ovary. The cell types were identified on the basis of their specifically expressed genes and biological functions. As a result, a cellular atlas of yak ovary was established successfully containing theca cells, stromal cells, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, natural killer cells, macrophages, and proliferating cells. A cell-to-cell communication network between the distinct cell types was constructed. The theca cells were clustered into five subtypes based on their biological functions. Further, CYP11A1 was confirmed as a marker gene for the theca cells by immunofluorescence staining. Our work reveals an ovarian atlas at the cellular molecular level and contributes to providing insights into reproductive adaption in yaks.
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms24031839