乳清蛋白α基因LALBA表达模式和关键调控元件鉴定OA

α-lactalbumin(encoded by the LALBA gene)is a core component of whey protein and plays a crucial role in mammary gland development and milk synthesis.This study aimed to systematically analyze the expression patterns and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of the LALBA gene across multiple species.The study utilized RNA-seq data from 11 mammalian species including cattle,buffalo,goat,sheep,red deer,and Bactrian camel,along with ATAC-seq data from six species.This was combined with multi-tissue RNA-seq data from cattle and single-cell RNA-seq data from their mammary glands.Through multi-omics data integration,LALBA expression characteristics were systematically analyzed at species,tissue,cellular,and molecular levels.Chromatin accessibility analysis and sequence alignment identified conserved regulatory regions.Upstream regulatory networks were further explored via transcription factor screening and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.Results indicate that LALBA exhibits highly specific expression(TPM＞4000)in mammary tissues across 11 mammalian species,primarily localized to secretory mammary epithelial cells in dairy cattle.An evolutionarily conserved regulatory region with high sequence similarity(≥ 94.5％)across ruminants was identified upstream and near the first exon,screening out 10 core transcription factors including IRF3,ELF5 and NFIB.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment of these transcription factors in Toll-like receptor and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways.In summary,LALBA expression likely participates in mammary-specific development and immune responses,with its core regulatory elements exhibiting functional conservation across artiodactyl species.