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Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part D, Genomics & proteomics2019; 33; 100649; doi: 10.1016/j.cbd.2019.100649

The distinct transcriptomes of fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles in Mongolian horses.

Abstract: Skeletal muscle is the largest organ system in the mammalian body and plays a key role in locomotion of horses. Fast and slow muscle fibers have different abilities and functions to adapt to exercises. To investigate the RNA and miRNA expression profiles in the muscles with different muscle fiber compositions on Mongolian horses. We examined the muscle fiber type population and produced deep RNA sequencing for different parts of skeletal muscles. And chose two of them with the highest difference in fast and slow muscle fiber population (splenius and gluteus medius) for comparing the gene expression profile of slow and fast muscle fiber types. We identified a total of 275 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and 11 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs). In addition, target gene prediction and alternative splicing analysis were also performed. Significant correlations were found between the differentially expressed gene, miRNAs, and alternative splicing events. The result indicated that differentially expressed muscle-specific genes and target genes of miRNAs might co-regulating the performance of slow and fast muscle fiber types in Mongolian horses.
Publication Date: 2019-12-11 PubMed ID: 31869634DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2019.100649Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research conducted thorough investigations to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the RNA and miRNA expression profiles in different muscle fibers in Mongolian horses. Focusing on the deep RNA sequencing of different skeletal muscles, it revealed distinct transcriptome profiles separating fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers established muscle fiber type populations and produced a deep RNA sequence for different areas of skeletal muscles.
  • They selected splenius and gluteus medius, the two muscle parts showing the highest differences between fast and slow muscle fiber populations. This was done to allow a direct comparison of gene expression profiles of slow and fast muscle fiber types.

Key Findings

  • The study identified a total of 275 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 11 differentially expressed micro RNAs (DEmiRs). These differentiations indicate the potential mechanisms playing roles in the differing characteristics of fast and slow muscle fiber types.
  • Subsequent target gene prediction and alternative splicing analysis were performed. These techniques helped to further interpret the potential functions and relationships of the identified DEGs and DEmiRs.
  • Significant correlations were found between differentially expressed genes, miRNAs, and alternative splicing events. These correlations provide clues on the coordinated operations among these molecular mechanisms.

Major Conclusion

  • Results from the research suggest that horse skeletal muscles vary in their gene and miRNA profiles. The differentially expressed muscle-specific genes and their miRNA targets possibly contribute to the specialized functionalities of slow and fast muscle fiber types in Mongolian horses.
  • This research lays ground for more in-depth investigations into the genetic mechanisms that dictate the physiological differences between various types of muscle fibers. Such findings hold implications for horse breeding and race performance optimizations, with potential relevance for applications in other animal species.

Cite This Article

APA
Bao T, Han H, Li B, Zhao Y, Bou G, Zhang X, Du M, Zhao R, Mongke T, Laxima , Ding W, Jia Z, Dugarjaviin M, Bai D. (2019). The distinct transcriptomes of fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles in Mongolian horses. Comp Biochem Physiol Part D Genomics Proteomics, 33, 100649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbd.2019.100649

Publication

ISSN: 1878-0407
NlmUniqueID: 101270611
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 33
Pages: 100649

Researcher Affiliations

Bao, Tugeqin
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Han, Haige
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Li, Bei
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Zhao, Yiping
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Bou, Gerelchimeg
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Zhang, Xinzhuang
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Du, Ming
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Zhao, Ruoyang
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Mongke, Togtokh
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Laxima,
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Ding, Wenqi
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Jia, Zijie
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Dugarjaviin, Manglai
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Bai, Dongyi
  • Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; Equine Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China. Electronic address: baidongyi1983@163.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Alternative Splicing
  • Animals
  • Horses / genetics
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch / metabolism
  • Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch / metabolism
  • Transcriptome

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declared that they have no conflicts of interest to this work. We declare that we do not have any commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the work submitted.

Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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