RNA作为一种大分子参与基因编码、解码、调控、表达等多种生物学过程。目前,对RNA的功能研究主要通过全转录组测序方法来完成。全转录组研究可以对基因结构与功能进行更深层次地分析和探究,揭示基因表达与生命现象之间的内在联系。现阶段,基于高通量测序技术的转录本结构研究、基因表达水平研究及非编码区域功能研究在模式动物、猪、禽类中已大量开展,但在羊上却鲜有报道。本文介绍了利用RNA-seq及Small RNA-seq 技术研究全转录组的一般流程及常用策略,综述了全转录组学技术在畜牧业领域中的研究进展。

RNA is a polymeric molecule which is involved in various biological processes including the coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. Whole transcriptome sequencing is the dominant method for studying RNA functions which assists researchers to deepen the exploration and analysis of gene structure and function and to reveal intrinsic links between gene expression and life phenomena. To date, extensive research has been done in animal husbandry models including swine and poultry by using high-throughput RNA sequencing technology. These studies included transcript structure, gene expression level and non-coding region function. In this review, we briefly introduce the general processes and strategies of RNA-seq and small RNA-seq technologies, and summarize the various achievements of the application of whole transcriptomics in animal husbandry.