A causal SNP in the promoter of myogenin is essential for lean meat production

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) widely existing in different breeds genome represent population-specific. Under the influence of long-term evolution and artificial selection, there are a large number of SNPs between western lean-type pig breeds and Chinese indigenous pig breeds, but until now, little is known about their roles in inter-breed differences. Our study revealed SNP rs3471653254 C>T generated from the two types of pigs mentioned above, located in the promoter shared by MyoG and Myoparr, played an important role in the differentiation of myoblast by influencing the enrichment of HOXA5 to regulate the transcription of MyoG and Myoparr. Meanwhile, Myoparr could be used as the sponge of mir-30b-3p which repressed myogenic differentiation and muscle regeneration through targeting MyoD. Our results indicated that SNP rs3471653254 C>T is essential for myogenic differentiation and regeneration and could be used as an ideal site for increasing lean meat production in pigs.