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Differential Energy Metabolism in Skeletal Muscle Tissues of Yili Horses Based on Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis
by
, , and
Xueyan Li
1,
Chen Meng
1,
Yuheng Xue
1,
Zhehong Shen
1,
Wanlu Ren
1,2,3,
Yaqi Zeng
1,2,3 and
Jun Meng
1,2,3,* 1
College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urmuqi 830052, China
2
Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Urumqi 830052, China
3
Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biology 2025, 14(12), 1713; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14121713
Submission received: 14 October 2025
/
Revised: 21 November 2025
/
Accepted: 27 November 2025
/
Published: 30 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
Simple Summary
This study systematically analyzed targeted energy metabolites, mRNA, and miRNA in the skeletal muscles of various regions of Yili horses. A total of 432 mRNAs and 164 miRNAs exhibited differential expression. Notably, the differentially expressed genes are primarily involved in glycolysis, as well as the metabolism of fructose and mannose, highlighting the distinct regulatory mechanisms governing the metabolic characteristics of skeletal muscles in different regions of Yili horses. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle fiber type determination.
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is the largest organ system in mammals. To investigate the differences in energy metabolism across various skeletal muscles in Yili horses, this study examined muscle fiber type distributions through immunohistochemical staining of muscles, including the splenius, triceps brachii, longissimus dorsi, and gluteus medius. The splenius and gluteus medius muscles, which exhibited the greatest differences in the proportion of slow-twitch fiber area, were selected for further comparison of differential metabolites and transcriptomic expression profiles between slow-twitch and fast-twitch fibers. A total of 27 energy metabolism-related differential metabolites, including pyruvate and lactate, were identified, along with 432 differentially expressed genes, such as PFKM and ALDOA. Additionally, 164 differentially expressed miRNAs, including miR-499 and miR-24-3p, were detected. We found highlighted differences in LDHA expression between the gluteus medius and splenius muscles, which may influence the conversion of fast and slow muscle fibers by modulating the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway. The miRNA−mRNA targeting relationships established here warrant further validation. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying energy metabolism differences in Yili horses.
Keywords:
Yili horse; skeletal muscle; energy metabolism
