Functional Identification of Porcine DLK1 during Muscle Development

Area of Science:

• Animal Genetics
• Developmental Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• The gene DLK1 (delta-like 1 homolog) is known for its roles in metabolism, stem cell maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation.
• Porcine DLK1 was previously identified as a potential regulator of muscle development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the expression of DLK1 in pigs.
• To investigate the function of DLK1 in muscle development in vitro.
• To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying DLK1's effects on muscle cells.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative analysis of DLK1 expression in porcine tissues.
• In vitro studies using porcine myoblasts and myocytes.
• Overexpression of DLK1 in cultured muscle cells.
• Analysis of myogenic and fusion markers.
• Assessment of Notch pathway gene expression.

Main Results:

• DLK1 is highly expressed in porcine muscles.
• DLK1 overexpression promoted myoblast proliferation, migration, and hypertrophy while inhibiting muscle degradation.
• Upregulation of myogenic and fusion markers and multinucleated myotube formation observed with DLK1 overexpression.
• Negative correlation found between DLK1 levels and key Notch pathway factors in cultured myocytes.

Conclusions:

• DLK1 functions as a positive regulator of muscle development in pigs.
• DLK1 promotes muscle growth and inhibits degradation through mechanisms involving the suppression of Notch signaling pathways.