LncEDCH1 g.1703613 T>C regulates chicken carcass traits by targeting miR-196-2-3p

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are valuable genetic markers that can provide insights into the genetic diversity and variation within chicken populations. In poultry breeding, SNP analysis is widely utilized to accelerate the selection of desirable traits, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of chicken breeding programs. In our previous research, we identified an association between LncEDCH1 and muscle development. To further investigate its specific mechanism, we conducted SNP detection and performed genotyping, linkage disequilibrium, and haplotype analysis. Our research findings indicate that 16 SNPs in the LncEDCH1. Among these SNPs, g.1703497 C>T and g.1704262 C>T were significantly associated with breast muscle weight percentage, g.1703497 C>T and g.1703613 T>C were significantly associated with leg weight percentage, and g.1703497 C>T, g.1703589 T>C, g.1703613 T>C, g.1703636 C>A, g.1703768 T>C, g.1704079 C>T, g.1704250 T>C, g.1704253 G>A were significantly associated with skin yellowness. Two haplotype blocks composed of 6 SNPs that were significantly associated with wing skin yellowness, breast skin yellowness, full-bore weight, and carcass weight percentage. Furthermore, through dual-luciferase reporter assays, biotin-coupled miRNA pull-down assays, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU) assays, immunofluorescence, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), it has been confirmed that miR-196-2-3p inhibits the expression of LncEDCH1 directly by binding to LncEDCH1 g.1703613T>C, thereby achieving indirect regulation of muscle development. These findings provide valuable molecular markers for chicken molecular breeding and broaden our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms.

LncEDCH1 improves mitochondrial function to reduce muscle atrophy by interacting with SERCA2

Skeletal muscle is a regulator of the body's energy expenditure and metabolism. Abnormal regulation of skeletal muscle-specific genes leads to various muscle diseases. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to play important roles in muscle growth and muscle atrophy. To explore the potential function of muscle-associated lncRNA, we analyzed our previous RNA-sequencing data and selected the lncRNA (LncEDCH1) as the research object. In this study, we report that LncEDCH1 is specifically enriched in skeletal muscle, and its transcriptional activity is positively regulated by transcription factor SP1. LncEDCH1 regulates myoblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro. In vivo, LncEDCH1 reduces intramuscular fat deposition, activates slow-twitch muscle phenotype, and inhibits muscle atrophy. Mechanistically, LncEDCH1 binds to sarcoplasmic/ER calcium ATPase 2 (SERCA2) protein to enhance SERCA2 protein stability and increase SERCA2 activity. Meanwhile, LncEDCH1 improves mitochondrial efficiency possibly through a SERCA2-mediated activation of the AMPK pathway. Our findings provide a strategy for using LncEDCH1 as an effective regulator for the treatment of muscle atrophy and energy metabolism.