Genomic structure and expression analyses of the PYGM gene in the thoroughbred horse.
Abstract: Muscle glycogen Phosphorylase (PYGM) has been shown to catalyze the degradation of glycogen to glucose-1-phosphate. The PYGM gene can contribute to providing energy to the body by disassembling the glycogen in muscle. Here, we analyzed the genomic structure and expression of the PYGM gene in the thoroughbred horse. The PYGM gene, containing several transposable elements (MIRs, LINEs, and MERs), was highly conserved in mammalian genomes. In order to understand the expression of the horse PYGM gene, we performed quantitative RT-PCR using 11 thoroughbred horse tissue samples. The horse PYGM gene was broadly expressed in all tissues tested. In particular, the highest expression of the horse PYGM gene was observed in skeletal muscle tissue relative to the other tissues. Interestingly, the horse PYGM gene contains fewer mobile elements than its human ortholog, resulting in an increase in the structural stability of the PYGM gene sequence. This study provides insights into the genomic structure of the horse PYGM gene that may be useful in future studies of its association with exercise capability.
Publication Date: 2011-04-07 PubMed ID: 21466345DOI: 10.2108/zsj.28.276Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article explores the structure and function of the PYGM gene in thoroughbred horses. The PYGM gene is responsible for providing energy to the body and is particularly active in muscle tissue.
Understanding the PYGM Gene in Horses
- The team performed a detailed analysis of the PYGM gene in thoroughbred horses to understand its structure and function.
This gene plays a crucial role in the body’s energy distribution by breaking down glycogen to glucose. - They discovered that the PYGM gene is highly conserved (remains unchanged) across different mammalian species. It contains several types of transposable elements or “jumping genes” like ‘MIRs’, ‘LINEs’, and ‘MERs’ that can move around within the genome.
- To understand the expression of the horse PYGM gene, researchers conducted quantitative RT-PCR tests using 11 different thoroughbred horse tissue samples. The results indicated that the PYGM gene is widely expressed in all tested tissues.
Significance of PYGM Gene in Muscle Tissue
- Interestingly, the horse’s PYGM gene was most active in skeletal muscle tissue compared to other tissues. This observation is consistent with the gene’s role in glycogen breakdown which is particularly critical in muscle tissues for energy supply during exercise or physical activity.
- This highest expression in the skeletal muscle tissue suggests a potential link between the PYGM gene and the exercise capabilities of thoroughbred horses. This adds a new dimension to the study and understanding of equine performance genetics.
Structural Stability of Horse’s PYGM Gene
- On comparing the horse PYGM gene with its human counterpart, researchers found that the horse gene contains fewer transposable elements or mobile genes. This difference results in increased structural stability of the horse’s PYGM gene sequence.
- Structural stability implies that the gene’s sequence is more resistant to changes and mutations, which may potentially enhance its efficiency in energy provision.
- The study’s findings offer valuable insights into the genomic structure of the horse’s PYGM gene. These insights may prove crucial in future research exploring the gene’s association with exercise capability in thoroughbred horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Nam GH, Ahn K, Bae JH, Han K, Lee CE, Park KD, Lee SH, Cho BW, Kim HS.
(2011).
Genomic structure and expression analyses of the PYGM gene in the thoroughbred horse.
Zoolog Sci, 28(4), 276-280.
https://doi.org/10.2108/zsj.28.276 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- DNA Transposable Elements
- Gene Expression
- Genomics
- Glycogen Phosphorylase, Muscle Form / genetics
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / metabolism
- Interspersed Repetitive Sequences
- Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
- Pedigree
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Wubuli A, Su Y, Yao X, Meng J, Wang J, Zeng Y, Li L, Ren W. Transcriptome Analysis of Muscle Tissue from Three Anatomical Locations in Male and Female Kazakh Horses. Biology (Basel) 2025 Sep 8;14(9).
- Zhao P, Peng C, Fang L, Wang Z, Liu GE. Taming transposable elements in livestock and poultry: a review of their roles and applications. Genet Sel Evol 2023 Jul 21;55(1):50.
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