bta-miR-23a involves in adipogenesis of progenitor cells derived from fetal bovine skeletal muscle

Intramuscular fat deposition or marbling is essential for high quality beef. The molecular mechanism of adipogenesis in skeletal muscle remains largely unknown. In this study, we isolated Platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) positive progenitor cells from fetal bovine skeletal muscle and induced into adipocytes. Using miRNAome sequencing, we revealed that bta-miR-23a was an adipogenic miRNA mediating bovine adipogenesis in skeletal muscle. The expression of bta-miR-23a was down-regulated during differentiation of PDGFRα(+) progenitor cells. Forced expression of bta-miR-23a mimics reduced lipid accumulation and inhibited the key adipogenic transcription factor peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα). Whereas down-regulation of bta-miR-23a by its inhibitors increased lipid accumulation and expression of C/EBPα, PPARγ and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4). Target prediction analysis revealed that ZNF423 was a potential target of bta-miR-23a. Dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that bta-miR-23a directly targeted the 3′-UTR of ZNF423. Together, our data showed that bta-miR-23a orchestrates early intramuscular adipogeneic commitment as an anti-adipogenic regulator which acts by targeting ZNF423.