miR-423-5p Regulates Skeletal Muscle Growth and Development by Negatively Inhibiting Target Gene SRF

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Animal Science

Background:

• Skeletal muscle development in pigs is crucial for pork yield and quality.
• Muscle development is controlled by complex transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory networks.
• The precise role of microRNA-423-5p (miR-423-5p) in myogenesis remains largely unelucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function of miR-423-5p in skeletal muscle development in pigs.
• To identify target genes of miR-423-5p involved in muscle growth.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which miR-423-5p regulates myogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Bioinformatic prediction software was used to identify potential target genes of miR-423-5p in Guangxi Bama miniature pigs.
• Real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to analyze gene and protein expression.
• Luciferase reporter assays were conducted to confirm direct targeting of SRF by miR-423-5p.

Main Results:

• Serum response factor (SRF) was identified as a potential target gene of miR-423-5p, with a negative correlation observed.
• Overexpression of miR-423-5p significantly reduced the expression of myogenin and SRF in swine skeletal muscle cells.
• miR-423-5p directly targets the 3' UTR of porcine SRF, confirming SRF as a target gene.

Conclusions:

• miR-423-5p is significantly involved in skeletal muscle differentiation in pigs.
• The regulatory mechanism involves the direct targeting and down-regulation of SRF by miR-423-5p.
• This study provides novel insights into the role of noncoding RNAs in regulating myogenesis and pork production.