Transcriptome analysis of the gene expression of M. iliotibialis lateralis affected by dietary methionine restriction

Abstract

Introduction: Methionine (Met) is an important amino acid related to the development of skeletal muscle. This study investigated the effects of dietary Met restriction on the gene expression of M. iliotibialis lateralis.Methods: A total of 84 day-old broiler chicks (Zhuanghe Dagu) with a similar initial body weight (207.62 ± 8.54 g) were used in this study. All birds were divided into two groups (CON; L-Met) based on the initial body weight. Each group consisted of six replicates with seven birds per replicate. The experimental period was 63 days (phase 1, days 1-21; phase 2, days 22-63). According to the nutritional requirements of Zhuanghe Dagu chickens, we provided a basal diet (0.39% Met levels during phase 1 and 0.35% Met levels during phase 2, as-fed basis) to the birds in the CON group, while we provided a Met-restricted diet (0.31% Met levels during phase 1 and 0.28% Met levels during phase 2, as-fed basis) to the birds in the L-Met group. The growth performance of broiler chicks and their M. iliotibialis lateralis development parameters were measured on days 21 and 63.Results and Discussion: In this study, dietary Met restriction did not affect the growth performance of broiler chicks but hindered the development of M. iliotibialis lateralis at both sampling timepoints. On the final day, three birds selected from each group (three from CON and three from L-Met) were used to obtain M. iliotibialis lateralis samples from leg muscle for further transcriptome analysis. Transcriptome analysis revealed that dietary Met restriction significantly upregulated 247 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and downregulated 173 DEGs. Additionally, DEGs were mainly enriched in 10 pathways. Among DEGs, we observed that dietary Met restriction downregulated the expression of CSRP3, KY, FHL1, LMCD1, and MYOZ2 in M. iliotibialis lateralis. Therefore, we considered that dietary Met restriction had negative effects on the development of M. iliotibialis lateralis, and CSRP3, KY, FHL1, LMCD1, and MYOZ2 may serve as potential functional genes involved in this process.

Methionine Source and Level Modulate Gut pH, Amino Acid Transporters and Metabolism Related Genes in Broiler Chickens

“…Interestingly, our results showed that low TSAA/Lys ratio groups had better BW and FCR than middle and high TSAA/Lys ratio ones at 13 days and these were not significantly different from the recommended TSAA/Lys ratio even at 20 days . It has been confirmed in the native breed of broiler chicks (Zhuanghe Dagu) that dietary Met restriction (Met level was 80% of the control group) had no negative effects on body weight gain . The dietary AA balance affects the AA requirements of chickens.…”

“…5 It has been confirmed in the native breed of broiler chicks (Zhuanghe Dagu) that dietary Met restriction (Met level was 80% of the control group) had no negative effects on body weight gain. 27 The dietary AA balance affects the AA requirements of chickens. AAs could be effectively utilized when the various AAs in the diet are balanced.…”