Profiling of the yak skeletal muscle tissue gene expression and comparison with the domestic cattle by genome array

Abstract

Of all the mammals of the world, the yak lives at the highest altitude area of more than 3000 m. Comparison between yak and cattle of the low-altitude areas will be informative in studying animal adaptation to higher altitudes. To investigate the molecular mechanism involved in meat quality differences between the two Chinese special varieties Qinghai yak and Qinchuan cattle, 12 chemical-physical characteristics of the longissimus dorsi muscle related to meat quality were compared at the age of 36 months, and the gene expression profiles were constructed by utilizing the bovine genome array. Significant analysis of microarrays was used to identify the differentially expressed genes. Gene ontology and pathway analysis were performed by a free Web-based Molecular Annotation System 2.0. The results reveal~11 000 probes representing about 10 000 genes that were detected in both the Qinghai yak and Qinchuan cattle. A total of 1922 genes were shown to be differentially expressed, 633 probes were upregulated and 1259 probes were downregulated in the muscle tissue of Qinghai yak that were mainly involved in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, muscle growth regulation, glucose metabolism, immune response and so on. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate some differentially expressed genes identified by microarray. Further analysis implied that animals living at a high altitude may supply energy by more active protein catabolism and glycolysis compared with those living in the plain areas. Our results establish the groundwork for further studies on yaks' meat quality and will be beneficial in improving the yaks' breeding by molecular biotechnology.

The Breed and Sex Effect on the Carcass Size Performance and Meat Quality of Yak in Different Muscles

“…The researches about body morphology and genetic diversity of yak in China had been reported ( Dou, 1984 ; Han, 1998 ; Wang et al ., 2014 ; Wang et al ., 2013 ), but the carcass performances among various yak breeds were little studied. Meanwhile, the quality of yak milk had been investigated ( Guo et al ., 2014 ; Liu et al ., 2011 ; Liu et al ., 2013 ), but fewer studies had involved in meat quality of yak.…”

Integrated proteomic, phosphoproteomic, and N-glycoproteomic analyses of the longissimus thoracis of yaks

“…The muscles of yaks differ markedly in structure and physiology from those of plain cattle so that they can adapt to low-oxygen environments ( Gu et al, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2011 ). These physiological differences result in significant differences in post-slaughter physiological processes in yak meat ( Wang et al, 2014 ; Xin et al, 2019 ). The differences in the fiber structure and physiology of muscle give yak meat unique processing properties and edible qualities ( Wang et al, 2022 ; Yang et al, 2021 ; Zuo et al, 2016 ).…”

Whole‐genome analysis identifying candidate genes of altitude adaptive ecological thresholds in yak populations

“…Previously, as a representative species of plateau adaptation, yak were widely used to study plateau adaptability (e.g., Ishizaki et al, ; Mizuno et al, ) and especially to identify altitude‐adapted genes by comparing genomic interspecies differences (e.g., Wang, Zan, & Zhang, ). However, recent research has mostly focused on investigating the altitude‐adapted genes within species (e.g., Jin et al, ; Tang et al, ).…”