Integrative Analysis of Transcriptomics and Metabolomics to Reveal the Melanogenesis Pathway of Muscle and Related Meat Characters in Wuliangshan Black-Boned Chickens

Abstract

Background: Melanin is an important antioxidant in food, and has been used in medicine and cosmetology. Chicken meat with high melanin content from black-boned chickens have been considered a high nutritious food with potential medicinal properties. The molecular mechanism of melanogenesis of skeletal muscle in black-boned chickens remain poorly understood. This study investigated the biological gene-metabolite associations regulating the muscle melanogenesis pathways in Wuliangshan black-boned chickens with two normal boned chicken breeds as control.Results: We identified 25 differentially expressed genes and 11 transcription factors in the melanogenesis pathways. High levels of the meat flavor compounds inosine monophosphate, hypoxanthine, lysophospholipid, hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, and nicotinamide mononucleotide were found in Wuliangshan black-boned chickens.Conclusion: Integrative analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed the dual physiological functions of the PDZK1 gene, involved in pigmentation and/or melanogenesis and regulating the phospholipid signaling processes in muscle of black boned chickens.

Hitchhiking of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein-like gene with the fibromelanosis locus in Kadaknath black-bone-chicken

“…For instance, the Korean Ogye has improved fetal viability and innate immunity against microbial and viral infections 20 . Nonetheless, BBC is famous for its tender meat, delicious flavor, and use in traditional medicine 16 . BBC breeds occur globally and have distinct names, such as Ayam Cemani (Indonesia), Black H'Mong (Vietnam), Tuzo (Argentina), Svarthöna (Sweden) 13 , Yeonsan Ogye (Korea) 21 , and Thai BBC (Thailand) 22 .…”

“…BBC breeds occur globally and have distinct names, such as Ayam Cemani (Indonesia), Black H'Mong (Vietnam), Tuzo (Argentina), Svarthöna (Sweden) 13 , Yeonsan Ogye (Korea) 21 , and Thai BBC (Thailand) 22 . China has a high diversity of BBC breeds, including Silkie, Jiangshan, Lueyang, Sichuan, Xingwen, Yugan, Dehua, Jinhu, Muchuan, Wumeng, Yanjin, Xichuan, Tuanfu, Wuliangshan, Emei and Miyi fowl 23,24,25,26,16 . India has a single breed of BBC commonly known as Kadaknath.…”

“…BBC breeds have anti-fatigue and anti-hypoxic abilities, with its meat having antioxidant properties 15,16 , high carnosine 17,18 , and lower fat and cholesterol content 9,19 . Some BBC breeds also have local adaptations.…”