Gene and expression characterization of MyoD and Myogenin in skeletal muscle of Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui)

• Grant number: 12/09542-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: November 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Maeli Dal Pai
• Grantee: Cassiane Martins Barbosa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The skeletal muscle growth in fish occurs by hypertrophy and hyperplasia, events regulated by differential expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). These factors share a highly conserved domain, known as basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), but little is known about the characteristics and gene expression of MRFs (MyoD, Myogenin, Myf5, and MRF4) in native fish species, such as in the Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui). In this perspective, the study of MRFs in skeletal muscle of tambaqui, generates relevant data not only to better understand the origin and regulation of expression of these factors but also for improving the production of this species, widely used in aquaculture programs. The objective of this project is to characterize the gene structure of some tambaqui MRFs (MyoD and Myogenin) through RLM-RACE (RNA - Ligase Mediated Rapid Amplification cDNA Ends), nucleotide sequencing, and searches in databases of sequences. Also, the objective is to determine the expression pattern of MyoD and Myogenin in C. macropomum, using quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in juveniles and adults of this species. Data will be submitted to appropriate statistical analyzes. This project will provide information for a better understanding of the structure of genes coding for MyoD and Myogenin of tambaqui and the expression pattern of these genes during skeletal muscle growth, which may promote the development of new creative strategies that benefit the greater production of fillets of this fish.(AU)