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. 2025 Feb 20;34(1):12.
doi: 10.1007/s11248-025-00431-2.

Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of myostatin-knockout pigs: insights into muscle growth and lipid metabolism

Nasar Khan #  1 , Zhouyan Li  1 , Akbar Ali #  2 , Biaohu Quan  1 , Jindan Kang  1 , Munib Ullah  3 , Xi-Jun Yin  4 , Muhammad Shafiq  5
Affiliations

Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of myostatin-knockout pigs: insights into muscle growth and lipid metabolism

Nasar Khan et al. Transgenic Res. .

Abstract

Pigs are a vital source of protein worldwide, contributing approximately 43% of global meat production. Recent genetic advancements in the myostatin (MSTN) gene have facilitated the development of double-muscling traits in livestock. In this study, we investigate the transcriptomic profiles of second-generation MSTN-knockout (MSTN-/-) pigs, generated through CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Using RNA sequencing, we compared the transcriptomic landscapes of muscle tissues from MSTN-/- pigs and wild-type (WT) counterparts. The sequencing yielded an average unique read mapping rate of 86.7% to the Sus scrofa reference genome. Our analysis revealed 15,142 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 121 novel genes, with 2554 genes upregulated and 1629 downregulated in the MSTN-/- group relative to the wild-type group. Notable transcriptomic changes were identified in genes associated with muscle development, lipid metabolism, and other physiological processes. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular consequences of MSTN inactivation, with potential applications in the optimization of livestock breeding and advancements in biomedical research.

Keywords: Differential gene expression; Disease resistance; Lipid metabolism; Muscle growth; Myostatin knockout; Transcriptomics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval: Our research strictly adhered to the highest standards of animal welfare in accordance with the Guidelines for Experimental Animals established by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China. The experimental protocols were reviewed and approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of Yanbian University (Approval ID: 20130310). This approval confirms our commitment to ethical research practices and ensures the humane treatment of animals throughout all stages of the study, including breeding and sample collection.

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