Comparative Analysis of Skeletal Muscle DNA Methylation and Transcriptome of the Chicken Embryo at Different Developmental Stages

Abstract

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism involved in embryonic muscle development and plays an important role in early muscle development. In this study, we sought to investigate the effects of genome-wide DNA methylation by combining the expression profiles of the chicken embryonic muscle. Genome-wide DNA methylation maps and transcriptomes of muscle tissues collected from different embryonic development points (E7, E11, E17, and D1) were used for whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA sequencing, respectively. We found that the differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were significantly associated with muscle organ development, regulation of skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation, and actin filament depolymerization. Furthermore, genes TBX1, MEF2D, SPEG, CFL2, and TWF2 were strongly correlated with the methylation-caused expression switch. Therefore, we chose the CFL2 gene to explore its function in skeletal muscle satellite cells, and the in vitro experiments showed that CFL2 acts as a negative regulator of chicken skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation and can induce cell apoptosis. These results provide valuable data for future genome and epigenome studies of chicken skeletal muscle and may help reveal the molecular mechanisms of potential economic traits.

DNA methylation in poultry: a review

“…In the early development of muscles, DNA methylation is a significant factor that cannot be ignored [ 22 , 48 , 49 ]. Different studies had found that DMGs were significantly related to actin filament depolymerization, skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation and muscle organ development while CFL2 negatively regulated the proliferation of chicken skeletal muscle satellite cells and induced cell apoptosis [ 50 ] (Fig. 3 b).…”

The Function and Regulation Mechanism of Non-Coding RNAs in Muscle Development

“…Myogenic cells are the precursors of myoblasts, and their proliferation and differentiation determine the growth and development of skeletal muscle [9,10]. This stage of muscle development determines the number and structure of muscle fibers in domestic animals [11]. In phase II, postnatal muscle growth and development is closely related to the proliferation and differentiation of stem and progenitor cells (satellite cells) [12][13][14].…”

The Integration of Genome-Wide DNA Methylation and Transcriptomics Identifies the Potential Genes That Regulate the Development of Skeletal Muscles in Ducks

“…The proliferation and apoptosis of satellite cells during the development of skeletal muscles in chicken embryos were regulated by the DNA methylation of Cfl2 according to whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) analysis [1]. In addition, the DNA methylation/Sp1/Igf2bp3 axis was involved in porcine skeletal myogenesis [15].…”

“…Ensuring the supply of high-quality animal protein requires the highly efficient development of husbandry in the poultry industry, which includes chickens, ducks, and geese [1,2]. The production and quality of muscle during growth periods are influenced by the embryonic stages [3].…”