FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Genet / MSTN genotypes in Thoroughbred horses influence skeletal mus...
Animal genetics2012; 43(6); 810-812; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2012.02329.x

MSTN genotypes in Thoroughbred horses influence skeletal muscle gene expression and racetrack performance.

Abstract: Myostatin, encoded by the MSTN gene, is a member of the TGF-β superfamily that regulates skeletal muscle development. A MSTN SNP significantly associated with Thoroughbred horse racing phenotypes has recently been identified as well as significant reductions in Thoroughbred skeletal muscle gene expression for three transcripts 400-1500 base pairs downstream of the MSTN gene following a period of training. Together, these findings indicate that MSTN genotypes may influence MSTN gene expression. To investigate this, MSTN mRNA expression was measured in biopsies from the middle gluteal muscle from 60 untrained yearling Thoroughbreds (C/C, n = 15; C/T, n = 28; T/T, n = 17) using two independent real-time qRT-PCR assays. MSTN gene expression was also evaluated in a subset (N = 33) of these animals using samples collected after a ten-month period of training. A significant association was observed between genotype and mRNA abundance for the untrained horses (assay I, P = 0.0237; assay II, P = 0.003559), with the C/C cohort having the highest MSTN mRNA levels, the T/T group the lowest levels and the C/T group intermediate levels. Following training, there was a significant decrease in MSTN mRNA (-3.35-fold; P = 6.9 × 10(-7) ), which was most apparent for the C/C cohort (-5.88-fold, P = 0.001). These data demonstrate the tight relationship between phenotype, genotype and gene expression at the MSTN gene in Thoroughbred racehorses.
© 2012 The Authors, Animal Genetics © 2012 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2012-02-27 PubMed ID: 22497477DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2012.02329.xGoogle 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 investigates how the variation in the Myostatin (MSTN) gene in Thoroughbred horses affects muscle development, gene expression and racing performance. The study finds a strong correlation between the MSTN genotype and its gene expression, which in turn influences the horse’s racing abilities.

Introduction to MSTN and Its Role

  • The MSTN gene encodes a protein called Myostatin, which belongs to the TGF-β superfamily.
  • This protein plays a crucial role in regulating the development of skeletal muscles. It limits the growth and differentiation of muscle cells, thus controlling muscle size.
  • A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the MSTN gene has been found to be significantly associated with Thoroughbred horse racing phenotypes, influencing their performance on the racetrack.
  • Recent findings have also shown reductions in Thoroughbred skeletal muscle gene expression for specific transcripts located close to the MSTN gene after a period of training.

Investigation into MSTN Expression

  • To further understand how MSTN genotypes affect gene expression, the study measured MSTN mRNA expression in muscle biopsies from 60 untrained yearling Thoroughbreds with different MSTN genotypes, using two independent real-time qRT-PCR assays.
  • They also studied the MSTN gene expression in a subset of these animals after a ten-month period of training.
  • The findings from the study demonstrated a significant association between genotype and mRNA abundance.
  • It was found that horses with the C/C genotype had the highest MSTN mRNA levels, those with the T/T genotype had the lowest levels, and those with the C/T genotype had intermediate levels.

Effects of Training on MSTN Expression

  • Strikingly, the study found a significant decrease in MSTN mRNA levels after the horses underwent training.
  • This downturn in MSTN expression was found to be most pronounced in the cohort of horses with the C/C genotype.

Conclusion

  • The study establishes a profound connection between the MSTN genotype and gene expression in Thoroughbred horses.
  • It implies that the MSTN genotype not only affects MSTN gene expression but may also significantly influence racing performance in Thoroughbreds.
  • These findings offer valuable insights to horse breeders and trainers who continuously aim to enhance racing performance in Thoroughbreds.

Cite This Article

APA
McGivney BA, Browne JA, Fonseca RG, Katz LM, Machugh DE, Whiston R, Hill EW. (2012). MSTN genotypes in Thoroughbred horses influence skeletal muscle gene expression and racetrack performance. Anim Genet, 43(6), 810-812. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2012.02329.x

Publication

Animal genetics
ISSN: 1365-2052
NlmUniqueID: 8605704
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 6
Pages: 810-812

Researcher Affiliations

McGivney, Beatrice A
  • Animal Genomics Laboratory, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, College of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Browne, John A
    Fonseca, Rita G
      Katz, Lisa M
        Machugh, David E
          Whiston, Ronan
            Hill, Emmeline W

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Female
              • Gene Expression
              • Gene Expression Regulation
              • Genotype
              • Horses / genetics
              • Male
              • Motor Activity / genetics
              • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
              • Myostatin / genetics
              • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
              • RNA, Messenger / genetics
              • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

              Citations

              This article has been cited 17 times.
              1. Han H, McGivney BA, Allen L, Bai D, Corduff LR, Davaakhuu G, Davaasambuu J, Dorjgotov D, Hall TJ, Hemmings AJ, Holtby AR, Jambal T, Jargalsaikhan B, Jargalsaikhan U, Kadri NK, MacHugh DE, Pausch H, Readhead C, Warburton D, Dugarjaviin M, Hill EW. Common protein-coding variants influence the racing phenotype in galloping racehorse breeds.. Commun Biol 2022 Dec 13;5(1):1320.
                doi: 10.1038/s42003-022-04206-xpubmed: 36513809google scholar: lookup
              2. Henry ML, Velez-Irizarry D, Pagan JD, Sordillo L, Gandy J, Valberg SJ. The Impact of N-Acetyl Cysteine and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Skeletal Muscle Antioxidants and Proteome in Fit Thoroughbred Horses.. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021 Oct 30;10(11).
                doi: 10.3390/antiox10111739pubmed: 34829610google scholar: lookup
              3. Kvist L, Honka J, Niskanen M, Liedes O, Aspi J. Selection in the Finnhorse, a native all-around horse breed.. J Anim Breed Genet 2021 Mar;138(2):188-203.
                doi: 10.1111/jbg.12524pubmed: 33226152google scholar: lookup
              4. Moro LN, Viale DL, Bastón JI, Arnold V, Suvá M, Wiedenmann E, Olguín M, Miriuka S, Vichera G. Generation of myostatin edited horse embryos using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and somatic cell nuclear transfer.. Sci Rep 2020 Sep 24;10(1):15587.
                doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-72040-4pubmed: 32973188google scholar: lookup
              5. Srikanth K, Kim NY, Park W, Kim JM, Kim KD, Lee KT, Son JH, Chai HH, Choi JW, Jang GW, Kim H, Ryu YC, Nam JW, Park JE, Kim JM, Lim D. Comprehensive genome and transcriptome analyses reveal genetic relationship, selection signature, and transcriptome landscape of small-sized Korean native Jeju horse.. Sci Rep 2019 Nov 13;9(1):16672.
                doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-53102-8pubmed: 31723199google scholar: lookup
              6. Gonzalez ML, Jacobs RD, Ely KM, Johnson SE. Dietary tributyrin supplementation and submaximal exercise promote activation of equine satellite cells.. J Anim Sci 2019 Dec 17;97(12):4951-4956.
                doi: 10.1093/jas/skz330pubmed: 31630180google scholar: lookup
              7. Velie BD, Lillie M, Fegraeus KJ, Rosengren MK, Solé M, Wiklund M, Ihler CF, Strand E, Lindgren G. Exploring the genetics of trotting racing ability in horses using a unique Nordic horse model.. BMC Genomics 2019 Feb 4;20(1):104.
                doi: 10.1186/s12864-019-5484-9pubmed: 30717660google scholar: lookup
              8. Velie BD, Fegraeus KJ, Solé M, Rosengren MK, Røed KH, Ihler CF, Strand E, Lindgren G. A genome-wide association study for harness racing success in the Norwegian-Swedish coldblooded trotter reveals genes for learning and energy metabolism.. BMC Genet 2018 Aug 29;19(1):80.
                doi: 10.1186/s12863-018-0670-3pubmed: 30157760google scholar: lookup
              9. Bryan K, McGivney BA, Farries G, McGettigan PA, McGivney CL, Gough KF, MacHugh DE, Katz LM, Hill EW. Equine skeletal muscle adaptations to exercise and training: evidence of differential regulation of autophagosomal and mitochondrial components.. BMC Genomics 2017 Aug 9;18(1):595.
                doi: 10.1186/s12864-017-4007-9pubmed: 28793853google scholar: lookup
              10. Librado P, Fages A, Gaunitz C, Leonardi M, Wagner S, Khan N, Hanghøj K, Alquraishi SA, Alfarhan AH, Al-Rasheid KA, Der Sarkissian C, Schubert M, Orlando L. The Evolutionary Origin and Genetic Makeup of Domestic Horses.. Genetics 2016 Oct;204(2):423-434.
                doi: 10.1534/genetics.116.194860pubmed: 27729493google scholar: lookup
              11. Santagostino M, Khoriauli L, Gamba R, Bonuglia M, Klipstein O, Piras FM, Vella F, Russo A, Badiale C, Mazzagatti A, Raimondi E, Nergadze SG, Giulotto E. Genome-wide evolutionary and functional analysis of the Equine Repetitive Element 1: an insertion in the myostatin promoter affects gene expression.. BMC Genet 2015 Oct 26;16:126.
                doi: 10.1186/s12863-015-0281-1pubmed: 26503543google scholar: lookup
              12. Moon S, Lee JW, Shin D, Shin KY, Kim J, Choi IY, Kim J, Kim H. A Genome-wide Scan for Selective Sweeps in Racing Horses.. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2015 Nov;28(11):1525-31.
                doi: 10.5713/ajas.14.0696pubmed: 26333666google scholar: lookup
              13. van den Hoven R, Gür E, Schlamanig M, Hofer M, Onmaz AC, Steinborn R. Putative regulation mechanism for the MSTN gene by a CpG island generated by the SINE marker Ins227bp.. BMC Vet Res 2015 Jun 23;11:138.
                doi: 10.1186/s12917-015-0428-3pubmed: 26100061google scholar: lookup
              14. Lee JR, Hong CP, Moon JW, Jung YD, Kim DS, Kim TH, Gim JA, Bae JH, Choi Y, Eo J, Kwon YJ, Song S, Ko J, Yang YM, Lee HK, Park KD, Ahn K, Do KT, Ha HS, Han K, Yi JM, Cha HJ, Cho BW, Bhak J, Kim HS. Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation patterns in horse.. BMC Genomics 2014 Jul 15;15(1):598.
                doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-598pubmed: 25027854google scholar: lookup
              15. Hamilton NA, Tammen I, Raadsma HW. Multi-species comparative analysis of the equine ACE gene identifies a highly conserved potential transcription factor binding site in intron 16.. PLoS One 2013;8(2):e55434.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055434pubmed: 23408978google scholar: lookup
              16. Petersen JL, Mickelson JR, Rendahl AK, Valberg SJ, Andersson LS, Axelsson J, Bailey E, Bannasch D, Binns MM, Borges AS, Brama P, da Câmara Machado A, Capomaccio S, Cappelli K, Cothran EG, Distl O, Fox-Clipsham L, Graves KT, Guérin G, Haase B, Hasegawa T, Hemmann K, Hill EW, Leeb T, Lindgren G, Lohi H, Lopes MS, McGivney BA, Mikko S, Orr N, Penedo MC, Piercy RJ, Raekallio M, Rieder S, Røed KH, Swinburne J, Tozaki T, Vaudin M, Wade CM, McCue ME. Genome-wide analysis reveals selection for important traits in domestic horse breeds.. PLoS Genet 2013;9(1):e1003211.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003211pubmed: 23349635google scholar: lookup
              17. Bower MA, McGivney BA, Campana MG, Gu J, Andersson LS, Barrett E, Davis CR, Mikko S, Stock F, Voronkova V, Bradley DG, Fahey AG, Lindgren G, MacHugh DE, Sulimova G, Hill EW. The genetic origin and history of speed in the Thoroughbred racehorse.. Nat Commun 2012 Jan 24;3:643.
                doi: 10.1038/ncomms1644pubmed: 22273681google scholar: lookup
              Subscribe to our newsletter
              Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.