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Physiological genomics2017; 49(6); 318-326; doi: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00130.2016

Exercise-induced modification of the skeletal muscle transcriptome in Arabian horses.

Abstract: It has been found that Arabian and Thoroughbred horses differ in muscle fiber structure and thus in physiological changes occurring in muscles during exercise. The aim of the present study was to identify the global gene expression modifications that occur in skeletal muscle following a training regime to prepare for flat racing. Whole transcriptomes of muscle (gluteus medius) were compared between three time points of tissue collection: T (untrained horses), T (horses after intense gallop phase), and T (horses at the end of racing season), 23 samples in total. The numerous groups of exercise-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were related to muscle cell structure and signaling and included insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (), insulin receptor (), transforming growth factor beta receptors 1 and 2 (), vascular endothelial growth factor B (); epidermal growth factor (), hepatocyte growth factor (), and vascular endothelial growth factor D (). In Arabian horses, exercise modified the expression of genes belonging to the PPAR signaling pathway (e.g., , and ), calcium signaling pathway, and pathways associated with metabolic processes (e.g., oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and citrate cycle). According to detected gene expression modifications, our results suggested that in Arabian horses, exercise switches energy generation toward fatty acid utilization and enhances glycogen transport and calcium signaling. The use of the RNA-Seq approach in analyzing the skeletal muscle transcriptome allowed for the proposal of a panel of new candidate genes potentially related to body homeostasis maintenance and racing performance in Arabian horses.
Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.
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Publication Date: 2017-04-28 PubMed ID: 28455310DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00130.2016Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focuses on the changes in gene expression in Arabian horse muscles due to training for flat racing, suggesting the exercise switches energy generation toward fatty acid utilization as well as enhancing glycogen transport and calcium signaling.

Understanding the Study

  • The study set out to explore how exercise or training for flat racing alters the gene expression in Arabian horses’ skeletal muscle, specifically the gluteus medius, which is a large muscle located in the buttock region. Different muscle fiber structures and related physiological changes in Arabian and Thoroughbred horses during exercise were a key focus of the research.
  • Understanding gene expression changes can provide substantial insights into how training regimes impact muscle cells and metabolism in horses. This further sheds light on how horses maintain body homeostasis and potentially how they perform in races.
  • The research methodology involved comparing the whole transcriptomes of muscle tissue at three different points in time: before training, after the intense gallop phase of training, and at the end of the racing season.

Key Findings

  • The study found that the myriad groups of exercise-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which include various growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, were heavily involved with muscle cell structures and related signaling.
  • Exercise was also found to change the expression of genes in the PPAR signaling concept and other metabolic pathways. Notably, the metabolic processes affected were diverse and included oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, glycolysis or gluconeogenesis, and the citrate cycle.
  • Based on these modifications in gene expression, the authors suggest that in Arabian horses, exercise shifts energy production towards the use of fatty acids. Simultaneously, the transport of glycogen and calcium signaling is enhanced.

Significance of the Findings

  • The research provides a robust molecular explanation for the physiological adaptations Arabian horses undergo while preparing for flat racing.
  • By revealing these exercise-induced changes in gene expression, the study hints at how different breeds of horses may respond differently to exercise and physical training, particularly in relation to energy use and metabolic processes.
  • The findings also lay the groundwork for future studies to further delve into the roles of specific genes involved in maintaining body homeostasis and enhancing performance in racing horses. The RNA-Seq approach used in the study offers a promising method for future research in these areas.

Cite This Article

APA
Ropka-Molik K, Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Z Ukowski K, Piórkowska K, Bugno-Poniewierska M. (2017). Exercise-induced modification of the skeletal muscle transcriptome in Arabian horses. Physiol Genomics, 49(6), 318-326. https://doi.org/10.1152/physiolgenomics.00130.2016

Publication

Physiological genomics
ISSN: 1531-2267
NlmUniqueID: 9815683
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 6
Pages: 318-326

Researcher Affiliations

Ropka-Molik, Katarzyna
  • Department of Genomics and Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Cracow, Poland; katarzyna.ropka@izoo.krakow.pl.
Stefaniuk-Szmukier, Monika
  • Department of Horse Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Cracow, Poland; and.
Z Ukowski, Kacper
  • Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Cracow, Poland.
Piórkowska, Katarzyna
  • Department of Genomics and Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Cracow, Poland.
Bugno-Poniewierska, Monika
  • Department of Genomics and Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Cracow, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / genetics
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Horses
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Transcriptome / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / metabolism

Citations

This article has been cited 21 times.
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