Zhao Liming, Li Fadi, Zhang Xiaoxue, Tian Huibin, Ma Zongwu, Yang Xiaobin, Zhang Qi, Pu Mengru, Cao Peiliang, Zhang Deyin, Zhang Yukun, Zhao Yuan, Cheng Jiangbo, Xu Quanzhong, Xu Dan, Li Xiaolong, Wang Weimin
State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China.
College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
Animals (Basel). 2025 May 27;15(11):1569. doi: 10.3390/ani15111569.
Meat quality traits, particularly WHC and tenderness, are pivotal for consumer satisfaction and economic value in the sheep industry. However, their genetic regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. We used RNA-Seq and WGCNA to identify genes regulating WHC and tenderness. Sixty longissimus thoracis samples were classified into high/low WHC (HWHC vs. LWHC) and high/low tenderness (HTN vs. LTN) groups. Comparative transcriptomics identified 270 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) linked to WHC, enriched in pathways like the regulation of the ATP metabolic process and the inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling. Key DEGs (e.g., , , , ) correlated significantly with WHC-associated traits. For tenderness, 165 DEGs were identified, including , , , and , enriched in PPAR signaling, fat cell differentiation, and cAMP signaling pathways. WGCNA revealed modules associated with WHC and tenderness, with hub genes (, , , , ) involved in ATP metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, and myofibril assembly. Tissue-specific gene integration prioritized muscle-enriched candidates ( and ) with strong trait correlations. Our findings unveil interconnected gene networks governing WHC and tenderness, highlighting some candidate genes as potential biomarkers for precision breeding. This study provides novel insights into the molecular determinants of meat quality, offering actionable targets to enhance mutton production sustainability and consumer appeal.
肉质性状，尤其是保水性和嫩度，对于养羊业的消费者满意度和经济价值至关重要。然而，它们的遗传调控机制仍不清楚。我们使用RNA测序和加权基因共表达网络分析（WGCNA）来鉴定调控保水性和嫩度的基因。60个胸最长肌样本被分为高/低保水性（高保水性组与低保水性组）和高/低嫩度（高嫩度组与低嫩度组）组。比较转录组学鉴定出270个与保水性相关的差异表达基因（DEGs），这些基因富集于ATP代谢过程调控和经典Wnt信号通路抑制等途径。关键的差异表达基因（如……）与保水性相关性状显著相关。对于嫩度，鉴定出165个差异表达基因，包括……，这些基因富集于PPAR信号通路、脂肪细胞分化和cAMP信号通路。WGCNA揭示了与保水性和嫩度相关的模块，其中枢纽基因（……）参与ATP代谢、脂质生物合成和肌原纤维组装。组织特异性基因整合将与性状相关性强的肌肉富集候选基因（……）列为优先研究对象。我们的研究结果揭示了调控保水性和嫩度的相互关联的基因网络，突出了一些候选基因作为精准育种潜在生物标志物的作用。本研究为肉质的分子决定因素提供了新的见解，为提高羊肉生产可持续性和消费者吸引力提供了可操作的靶点。
