Long-read and short-read RNA-seq reveal the transcriptional regulation characteristics of PICK1 in Baoshan pig testis.

PICK1 plays a crucial role in mammalian spermatogenesis. Here, we integrated single-molecule long-read and short-read sequencing to comprehensively examine PICK1 expression patterns in adult Baoshan pig (BS) testes. We identified the most important transcript ENSSSCT00000000120 of PICK1, obtaining its full-length coding sequence (CDS) spanning 1254 bp. Gene structure analysis located PICK1 on pig chromosome 5 with 14 exons. Protein structure analysis reflected that PICK1 consisted of 417 amino acids containing two conserved domains, PDZ and BAR_PICK1. Phylogenetic analysis underscored the evolutionary conservation and homology of PICK1 across different mammalian species. Evaluation of protein interaction network, KEGG, and GO pathways implied that interacted with 50 proteins, predominantly involved in glutamatergic synapses, amphetamine addiction, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, dopaminergic synapses, and synaptic vesicle recycling, and PICK1 exhibited significant correlation with DLG4 and TBC1D20. Functional annotation identified that PICK1 was involved in 9 GOs, including seven cellular components and two molecular functions. ceRNA network analysis suggested BS PICK1 was regulated by seven miRNA targets. Moreover, qPCR expression analysis across 15 tissues highlighted that PICK1 was highly expressed in the bulbourethral gland and testis. Subcellular localization analysis in ST (Swine Tesits) cells demonstrated that PICK1 significantly localized within the cytoplasm. Overall, our findings shed new light on PICK1's role in BS reproduction, providing a foundation for further functional studies of PICK1.