The micropeptide LEMP plays an evolutionarily conserved role in myogenesis

In recent years, micropeptides have been increasingly identified as important regulators in various biological processes. However, whether micropeptides are functionally conserved remains largely unknown. Here, we uncovered a micropeptide with evolutionarily conserved roles in myogenesis. RNA-seq data analysis of proliferating mouse satellite cells (SCs) and differentiated myotubes identified a previously annotated lncRNA, MyolncR4 (1500011K16RIK), which is upregulated during muscle differentiation. Significantly, MyolncR4 is highly conserved across vertebrate species. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrate that MyolncR4 encodes a 56-aa micropeptide, which was named as LEMP (lncRNA encoded micropeptide). LEMP promotes muscle formation and regeneration in mouse. In zebrafish, MyolncR4 is enriched in developing somites and elimination of LEMP results in impaired muscle development, which could be efficiently rescued by expression of the mouse LEMP. Interestingly, LEMP is localized at both the plasma membrane and mitochondria, and associated with multiple mitochondrial proteins, suggestive of its involvement in mitochondrial functions. Together, our work uncovers a micropeptide that plays an evolutionarily conserved role in skeletal muscle differentiation, pinpointing the functional importance of this growing family of small peptides.