Project description:To identify transcriptional markers for beef traits related to meat tenderness and moisture, we measured the transcriptome of the Longissimus dorsi skeletal muscle in 10 Korean native cattle (KNC). We analyzed the correlation between the beef transcriptome and measurements of four different beef traits, shear force (SF), water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), and loin eye area (LEA). We obtained non-overlapping and unique panels of genes showing strong correlations (|r| > 0.8) with SF, WHC, CL, and LEA, respectively. Functional studies of these genes indicated that SF was mainly related to energy metabolism, and LEA to rRNA processing. Interestingly, our data suggested that WHC is influenced by protein metabolism. Overall, the skeletal muscle transcriptome pointed to the importance of energy and protein metabolism in determining meat quality after the aging process. The panels of transcripts for beef traits may be useful for predicting meat tenderness and moisture. Experiment Overall Design: Gene expression profiles were correlated with beef traits measured at the same cattle.
Project description:Transcripome of longissimus dorsi muscle was compared between Korean cattle bulls and steers by using a customized bovine Combimatrix microarray containing 10,199 genes. A customized bovine Combimatrix microarray containing 10,199 genes were constructed, and transcripome of longissimus dorsi muscle was compared between Korean cattle bulls (3 bulls) and steers (3 high-marbled and 3 low-marbled steers) by using the microarray hybridzation.
Project description:Understanding age-associated transcriptome changes in longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle is important for determining beef quality and yield characteristics. We investigated age-related transcriptome changes in LT of Hanwoo (Korean cattle) steers. Six Hanwoo steers were used. LT samples were biopsied between the 11th and 12th ribs at 12, 18, and 24 months of age. Steers were slaughtered at 31 months of age and LT samples were collected. Transcriptomic profiles at different ages were measured by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). A total of 13,753 transcriptomes were identified and a total of 2,522 differentially expressed genes were identified (false discovery rate < 0.05 and |fold change| > 2). In conclusion, transcriptomic age-related changes provide novel insights into understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for age-related changes in beef quality and carcass weight in beef cattle.
Project description:Transcripome of longissimus dorsi muscle was compared between Korean cattle bulls and steers by using a customized bovine Combimatrix microarray containing 10,199 genes.
