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Comparative metabolomic analysis in horses and functional analysis of branched chain (alpha) keto acid dehydrogenase complex in equine myoblasts under exercise stress.
Abstract: The integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics may elucidate the correlation between the genotypic and phenotypic patterns in organisms. In equine physiology, various metabolite levels vary during exercise, which may be correlated with a modified gene expression pattern of related genes. Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic studies in horses have not been conducted to date. The objective of this study was to detect the effect of moderate exercise on the metabolomic and transcriptomic levels in horses. In this study, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we analyzed the concentrations of metabolites in muscle and plasma; we also determined the gene expression patterns of branched chain (alpha) keto acid dehydrogenase kinase complex (), which encodes the key regulatory enzymes in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism, in two breeds of horses, Thoroughbred and Jeju, at different time intervals. The concentrations of metabolites in muscle and plasma were measured by H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy, and the relative metabolite levels before and after exercise in the two samples were compared. Subsequently, multivariate data analysis based on the metabolic profiles was performed using orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and variable important plots and -test were used for basic statistical analysis. The stress-induced expression patterns of genes in horse muscle-derived cells were examined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to gain insight into the role of transcript in response to exercise stress. In this study, we found higher concentrations of aspartate, leucine, isoleucine, and lysine in the skeletal muscle of Jeju horses than in Thoroughbred horses. In plasma, compared with Jeju horses, Thoroughbred horses had higher levels of alanine and methionine before exercise; whereas post-exercise, lysine levels were increased. Gene expression analysis revealed a decreased expression level of in the post-exercise period in Thoroughbred horses.
© Copyright 2022 Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology.
Publication Date: 2022-07-31 PubMed ID: 35969708PubMed Central: PMC9353351DOI: 10.5187/jast.2022.e45Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article investigates how moderate exercise impacts levels of metabolites (substances needed for metabolism) and gene expression in horses. By utilising nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to analyse metabolites in muscle and plasma, and evaluating gene expression of branched chain (alpha) keto acid dehydrogenase kinase complex, the study found differences in concentrations of certain metabolites and changes in gene expression after exercise between two horse breeds, Thoroughbred and Jeju.
Research Objectives and Methods
- The researchers sought to understand the effects of exercise on the metabolomic (study of the chemical processes involved in metabolism) and transcriptomic (study of the complete set of RNA molecules) levels in horses. This is the first study to combine these two areas of study in equine physiology.
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to analyse concentrations of metabolites in muscle and plasma. This non-invasive technique provides detailed information about the structure and dynamics of molecules.
- Gene expression patterns of branched chain (alpha) keto acid dehydrogenase kinase complex were determined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). This gene complex is vital to the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are essential nutrients.
Findings
- The study discovered differences in metabolite levels and gene expression between the two breeds of horses both before and after exercise.
- Jeju horses displayed higher concentrations of aspartate, leucine, isoleucine, and lysine in skeletal muscle compared to Thoroughbred horses.
- Thoroughbred horses had higher levels of alanine and methionine in plasma before exercise compared to Jeju horses. After exercise, lysine levels in plasma increased in Thoroughbreds.
- Exercise led to changes in the gene expression of branched chain (alpha) keto acid dehydrogenase kinase complex. Expression levels decreased post-exercise in Thoroughbred horses, suggesting a potential impact of exercise on the catabolism (breakdown) of BCAAs.
Implications
- The study suggests that moderate exercise might cause changes in metabolite levels and gene expression in horses. This could have implications for equine health and performance.
- Differences between the two horse breeds indicate a possible genetic divergence in metabolite concentration and gene expression, which could be explored in subsequent studies. Understanding these differences may help refine exercise and diet regimes for different breeds to optimise their health and performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Park JW, Kim KH, Kim S, So JR, Cho BW, Song KD.
(2022).
Comparative metabolomic analysis in horses and functional analysis of branched chain (alpha) keto acid dehydrogenase complex in equine myoblasts under exercise stress.
J Anim Sci Technol, 64(4), 800-811.
https://doi.org/10.5187/jast.2022.e45 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, SangJu 37224, Korea.
- Department of Animal Science, College of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Pusan National University, Miryang 50463, Korea.
- The Animal Molecular Genetics and Breeding Center, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea.
- Department of Animal Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea.
- Department of Animal Science, College of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Pusan National University, Miryang 50463, Korea.
- The Animal Molecular Genetics and Breeding Center, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea.
- Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea.
Conflict of Interest Statement
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Yuan X, Yao X, Zeng Y, Wang J, Ren W, Wang T, Li X, Yang L, Yang X, Meng J. The Effect of Training on the Expression of Protein and Metabolites in the Plasma Exosomes of the Yili Horse. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 6;16(2).
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