Correlation between sheep YAP1 temporal and spatial expression trends and MSTN and MyoG gene expression

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Molecular Biology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Skeletal muscle development is a complex process regulated by various genes.
• Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is implicated in cellular growth and differentiation.
• Myostatin (MSTN) and myogenin (MyoG) are key regulators of muscle development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of YAP1 gene expression on muscle development in Hu Sheep.
• To explore the relationship between YAP1, MSTN, and MyoG during postnatal growth.

Main Methods:

• Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify gene expression.
• Expression levels of YAP1, MSTN, and MyoG were analyzed in different skeletal muscles (longissimus dorsi, soleus, gastrocnemius, extensor digitorum longus).
• Gene expression was assessed at three distinct growth stages: 2 days, 2 months, and 6 months old.

Main Results:

• YAP1 expression varied significantly across different skeletal muscles and increased with age.
• YAP1 was highly expressed in the gastrocnemius and minimally in the longissimus dorsi muscle.
• MSTN showed minimal expression in the soleus muscle, potentially promoting muscle fiber enlargement, while MyoG was highly expressed in gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, possibly inhibiting fiber enlargement.
• YAP1 expression was positively correlated with MSTN and MyoG expression across all growth stages (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• YAP1 gene expression plays a role in postnatal muscle fiber development in sheep.
• YAP1 is positively associated with MSTN and MyoG, suggesting a regulatory role in muscle growth.
• YAP1 may serve as a candidate gene for enhancing muscle growth in livestock.