RNA-seq analysis identifies cytoskeletal structural genes and pathways for meat quality in beef

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Genomics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) enables transcriptional profiling to identify differentially expressed genes.
• Meat quality traits such as tenderness, juiciness, and marbling are crucial for consumer satisfaction.
• Understanding the genetic basis of these traits can improve beef production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify genes and pathways associated with meat quality traits in cattle using RNA-seq.
• To analyze differential gene expression related to extreme phenotypes of meat quality.

Main Methods:

• Selected 80 steers with extreme meat quality phenotypes (tenderness, marbling, Warner-Bratzler Shear Force).
• Performed RNA sequencing on longissimus dorsi muscle using Illumina HiSeq-3000.
• Analyzed gene expression using association and differential expression analyses against a meat quality index and extreme groups.

Main Results:

• Expression of 208 genes and 3,280 exons was associated with the meat quality index (p ≤ 0.05).
• Identified 676 differentially expressed genes for Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (adjusted p ≤ 0.05) and 198 for marbling (adjusted p ≤ 0.1).
• Found significant differential expression in isoforms related to WBSF, tenderness, and marbling.

Conclusions:

• Cytoskeletal and transmembrane anchoring genes and pathways are significantly associated with meat quality.
• These proteins influence meat quality by affecting muscle structure and architecture postmortem.
• The study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying beef quality traits.