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Molecular Regulation of Animal Fat and Muscle Development
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Molecular Regulation of Animal Fat and Muscle Development

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2025) | Viewed by 1120

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Taiyong Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition & Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
Interests: fat deposition; muscle development; adipocyte; bone metabolism; pig genome

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The regulation of animal fat and muscle development is crucial for livestock production, meat quality, and metabolic health. Adipogenesis, the process of fat cell formation, is primarily controlled by transcription factors such as PPARγ and C/EBPs, which drive the differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes. Similarly, the development of muscle tissue is regulated by myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) like MyoD, Myf5, and myogenin, which guide the proliferation and maturation of muscle cells. Beyond genetic regulation, external factors such as food additives and dietary components significantly influence fat deposition and muscle growth. Additives like growth promoters, antioxidants, and feed supplements can regulate metabolic pathways and hormonal responses thereby altering fat deposition and muscle development. In this Special Issue, we showcase recent studies addressing the genetic, hormonal, and dietary influences on fat and muscle regulation. This compilation aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on optimizing animal growth and meat quality while ensuring sustainable practices in livestock production.

Dr. Taiyong Yu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

  • animal fat
  • muscle development
  • adipogenesis
  • PPARγ
  • C/EBPs
  • food additives
  • metabolic pathways
  • meat quality
  • preadipocytes
  • MyoD

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3888 KiB  
Article
Gut Microbiota-Bile Acid Crosstalk Contributes to Meat Quality and Carcass Traits of Tan and Dorper Sheep
by Lixian Yang, Ran Cui, Zhen Li, Mingming Xue, Shuheng Chan, Pengxiang Xue, Xiaoyang Yang, Longmiao Zhang, Fenghua Lv and Meiying Fang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6224; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136224 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 350
Abstract
Tan sheep outperform Dorper sheep in meat-quality traits, including muscle fiber characteristics and fatty acid composition, while Dorper sheep excel in carcass weight. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these breed-specific traits, especially gut microbiota–bile acid (BA) interactions, remain poorly understood. As host–microbiota co-metabolites, [...] Read more.
Tan sheep outperform Dorper sheep in meat-quality traits, including muscle fiber characteristics and fatty acid composition, while Dorper sheep excel in carcass weight. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these breed-specific traits, especially gut microbiota–bile acid (BA) interactions, remain poorly understood. As host–microbiota co-metabolites, BAs are converted by colonic microbiota via bile salt hydrolase (BSH) and dehydroxylases into secondary BAs, which activate BA receptors to regulate host lipid and glucose metabolism. This study analyzed colonic BA profiles in 8-month-old Tan and Dorper sheep, integrating microbiome and longissimus dorsi muscle transcriptome data to investigate the gut–muscle axis in meat-quality and carcass trait regulation. Results showed that Tan sheep had 1.6-fold higher secondary BA deoxycholic acid (DHCA) levels than Dorper sheep (p < 0.05), whereas Dorper sheep accumulated conjugated primary BAs glycocholic acid (GCA) and tauro-α-muricholic acid (p < 0.05). Tan sheep exhibited downregulated hepatic BA synthesis genes, including cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1), alongside upregulated transport genes such as bile salt export pump (BSEP), sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), and ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4 (ABCB4), with elevated gut BSH activity (p < 0.05). DHCA was strongly correlated with g_Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, ENSOARG00000001393, and ENSOARG00000016726, muscle fiber density, diameter, and linoleic acid (C18:2n6t) (|r| > 0.5, p < 0.05). In contrast, GCA was significantly associated with g_Lachnoclostridium_10, g_Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, ENSOARG0000001232, carcass weight, and net meat weight (|r| > 0.5, p < 0.05). In conclusion, breed-specific colonic BA profiles were shaped by host–microbiota interactions, with DHCA potentially promoting meat quality in Tan sheep via regulation of muscle fiber development and fatty acid deposition, and GCA influencing carcass traits in Dorper sheep. This study provides novel insights into the gut microbiota–bile acid axis in modulating ruminant phenotypic traits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Regulation of Animal Fat and Muscle Development)
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20 pages, 8179 KiB  
Article
Unveiling Key Genes and Crucial Pathways in Goose Muscle Satellite Cell Biology Through Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses
by Yi Liu, Cui Wang, Mingxia Li, Yunzhou Yang, Huiying Wang, Shufang Chen and Daqian He
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(8), 3710; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26083710 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 514
Abstract
Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) are quiescent stem cells located in skeletal muscle tissue and function as the primary reservoir of myogenic progenitors for muscle growth and regeneration. However, the molecular and metabolic mechanisms governing their differentiation in geese remain largely unexplored. This [...] Read more.
Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) are quiescent stem cells located in skeletal muscle tissue and function as the primary reservoir of myogenic progenitors for muscle growth and regeneration. However, the molecular and metabolic mechanisms governing their differentiation in geese remain largely unexplored. This study comprehensively examined the morphological, transcriptional, and metabolic dynamics of goose SMSCs across three critical differentiation stages: the quiescent stage (DD0), the differentiation stage (DD4), and the late differentiation stage (DD6). By integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, stage-specific molecular signatures and regulatory networks involved in SMSC differentiation were identified. Principal component analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns in gene expression and metabolite profiles across these stages, highlighting dynamic shifts in lipid metabolism and myogenesis. The PPAR signaling pathway emerged as a key regulator, with crucial genes such as PPARG, IGF1, ACSL5, FABP5, and PLIN1 exhibiting differentiation-dependent expression patterns. Notably, PPARG and IGF1 displayed negative correlations with adenosine and L-carnitine levels, suggesting their role in metabolic reprogramming during myotube formation. Additionally, MYOM2 and MYBPC1 exhibited stage-specific regulation and positively correlated with 2,3-dimethoxyphenylamine. This study provides a foundational framework for understanding muscle development and regeneration, offering valuable insights for both agricultural and biomedical research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Regulation of Animal Fat and Muscle Development)
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