Comparative Genome and Transcriptome Integration Studies Reveal the Mechanism of Pectoral Muscle Development and Function in Pigeons

Abstract

Pigeon breed resources provide a genetic model for the study of phenomics. The pectoral muscles play a key role for the meat production performance of the meat pigeon and the athletic ability of the High flyers. Euro-pigeons and Silver King pigeons are commercial varieties that exhibit good meat production performance. In contrast to the domestication direction of meat pigeons, the traditional Chinese ornamental pigeon breed, High flyers, has a small and light body. Here, we investigate the molecular mechanism of the pectoral muscle development and function of pigeons using whole-genome and RNA sequencing data. The selective sweep analysis (FST and log2 (θπ ratio)) revealed 293 and 403 positive selection genes in Euro-pigeons and Silver King, respectively, of which 65 genes were shared. With the Silver King and Euro-pigeon as the control group, the High flyers were selected for 427 and 566 genes respectively. There were 673 differentially expressed genes in the breast muscle transcriptome between the commercial meat pigeons and ornamental pigeons. Pigeon genome selection signal combined with the breast muscle transcriptome revealed that six genes (SLC16A10, S100B, SYNE1, HECW2, CASQ2 and LOC110363470) from commercial varieties of pigeons and five genes (INSC, CALCB, ZBTB21, B2M and LOC110356506) from Chinese traditional ornamental pigeons were positively selected which were involved in pathways related to muscle development and function. This study provides new insights into the selection of different directions and the genetic mechanism related to muscle development in pigeons.

Potential regulator of meat quality in geese: C1QTNF1 implications on cell proliferation and muscle growth

“…This integrated analysis of multi-omics data overcame the limitations of single-omics, and accessed the genetic information of organisms in different dimensions, which is an effective solution to address biological problems nowadays. Numerous scholars have employed this approach to undertake pertinent investigations, elucidating the genetic mechanisms underlying muscle development in mammalian species such as pigs and cattle ( Yang et al, 2021 ; Liang et al, 2022 ), as well as avian species including ducks and pigeons ( Hu et al, 2020 ; Hou et al, 2021 ). It is worth noting that fiber numbers per bundle in birds are fixed before or immediately after birth, and an increase in the bundle size is accompanied by an increased muscle fiber size, resulting in subsequent muscle growth ( Velleman, 2019 ).…”

Unraveling the molecular landscape of breast muscle development in domestic Yuzhong pigeons and European meat pigeon: Insights from Iso-seq and RNA-seq analysis

“…Breeders commonly prioritize the cultivation of larger-sized and fuller-breasted pigeons. European meat pigeons, for example, can attain weights of up to 600 g by 28 days of age [ 30 ]. Commercially, pigeon meat is typically sourced from squabs aged 28 to 30 days, with body weights ranging from 400 to 700 g [ 31 ].…”

“…Notably, pigeon carcasses exhibit a higher percentage of breast muscle compared to broiler chicken carcasses [ 31 ]. Previous studies have elucidated the genetic mechanisms underlying meat production in various meat pigeon breeds, including European meat pigeons, silver king pigeons, and domestic highflyer pigeons [ 30 ]. Additionally, research has investigated developmental and phenotypic disparities as well as differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the pectoral muscles between European meat pigeons and Shiqi pigeons [ 32 ].…”

Transcriptome analysis of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs in the skeletal muscle of Tibetan chickens at different developmental stages

“…The ceRNA network analysis showed that lnc-778 acted as a sponge for gga-miR-22-3p to increase the expression of CASQ (calsequestrin 1) and AR (androgen receptor) and suppress the expression of RHOBTB1 (Rho-related BTB domain containing 1). Some studies suggested that CASQ was involved in muscle growth and development ( Hou et al, 2021 ; Yang et al, 2021 ). AR affected the growth and development of sarcomere myofibrillar organization ( Ghaibour et al, 2023 ).…”