Integrated transcriptomic analysis unveils molecular mechanisms regulating meat quality in newly improved black goat...

This study aimed to integrate transcriptomes to reveal the regulatory molecular mechanisms of meat quality in different black goat breeds. A comparison of Guizhou Black Goats (GBG♂, n = 7), Black Nubian Goats (NBG♂, n = 7), and their F1 hybrids (FBG♂, GB♀ × NB♂, n = 7) revealed that the FBG demonstrated notable improvements in meat quality parameters, muscle fiber traits, fatty acid and amino acid compositions, mineral content, intramuscular fat (IMF), and inosine monophosphate (IMP) levels. Moreover, transcriptome analysis identified 119, 77, and 82 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the GBG vs NBG, FBG vs GBG, and FBG vs NBG comparisons, respectively. Among these, 111, 74, and 82 DEGs were associated with IMF deposition, and 61, 34, and 32 DEGs were linked to IMP deposition, respectively. Of particular note, the analysis pinpointed key genes related to IMF (PFKM and FZD4) and IMP (AMPD3, ENPP1, ENTPD1, ENTPD8, and PRPS2), laying a solid data groundwork for future research aimed at enhancing the meat quality of black goats.