Previously, we found there were significant differences in the development of skeletal muscle, myofiber characteristics between Chinese pig breed Dapulian and Landrace. Furthermore, the development of skeletal muscle is related to the proliferation of satellite cells (SCs). Thus, our aim was to compare the differences of proliferative abilities and expression of key genes related to proliferation between the SCs isolated from Dapulian and Landrace in this study. We isolated skeletal muscle SCs with collagenase digestion from the longissimus dorsi muscles of 1-day-old male Dapulian and Landrace piglets. After successful culture of SCs in vitro, proliferative capacity was estimated at different time points. Meanwhile, the expression of key genes related to SCs proliferation was detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Proliferation results showed a significantly greater number of viable SCs from Dapulian pigs compared to that from Landrace pigs at 72-120 h of culture (p < .05). The mRNA expression of MYOD, MYF5 and MYOG in SCs from Dapulian pigs was higher (p < .05) compared with Landrace pigs. Whereas the mRNA levels of MSTN, MTOR, S6K, EIF4E and 4EBP1 were significantly lower in SCs from Dapulian than those from Landrace (p < .05). Protein levels of MSTN, S6K, MTOR and EIF4E were consistent with corresponding mRNA expression. In summary, these findings indicated that SCs isolated from the two breeds exhibit different proliferative capacities, and the proliferative potential of SCs from Dapulian pigs was greater than those from Landrace pigs.
HIGHLIGHTSThere were significant differences in the development of skeletal muscle, myofibre number and myofibre size between Chinese indigenous pig breed Dapulian and commercial pig breed Landrace. The proliferative capacity of satellite cells (SCs) from Dapulian pigs was greater than that from Landrace pigs. The expression of key genes related to proliferation between the SCs isolated from Dapulian and Landrace was different.