Transcriptome Analysis of Breast Muscle Reveals Pathways Related to Protein Deposition in High Feed Efficiency of Native Turkeys

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Due to the high cost of feed in the poultry production system, improving feed efficiency can reduce production costs. This study aimed to investigate the transcriptome of breast muscle tissue of native male turkeys that have been phenotyped for high and low feed efficiency. After the rearing period, the most efficient and the least efficient male turkeys were selected and slaughtered for RNA-Seq. Genes with different expressions in muscle tissue were identified between high feed efficiency turkeys compared to low feed efficiency turkeys. The results showed that high feed efficiency birds increased the expression of genes related to amino acid biosynthesis and low feed efficiency birds increased the expression of genes related to the immune response. Eleven key genes associated with the phenotypic expression of feed efficiency were selected that may be good potential candidates for biomarkers of feed efficiency in genetic selection in turkeys. This study provides new insights into the differences in transcripts between breast muscle tissues between turkeys with high and low feeding efficiencies. ABSTRACT: Feed efficiency is important due to the high cost of food, which accounts for about 70% of the total cost of a turkey breeding system. Native poultry are an important genetic resource in poultry breeding programs. This study aimed to conduct a global transcriptome analysis of native male turkeys which have been phenotyped for high and low feed efficiency. Feed efficiency traits were recorded during the experimental period. After slaughter, the three most efficient and three least efficient male turkeys were selected for RNA-Seq analysis. A total of 365 genes with different expressions in muscle tissue were identified between turkeys with a high feed efficiency compared to turkeys with a low feed efficiency. In the pathway analysis of up-regulated genes, major pathways included the “metabolism of glycine, serine, and threonine”; the “adipocytokine signaling pathway” and the “biosynthesis of amino acids”. In the pathway analysis of down-regulated genes, the major pathways included “dorso-ventral axis formation” and “actin cytoskeleton regulation”. In addition, gene set enrichment analyses were performed, which showed that high feed efficiency birds exhibit an increased expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of amino acids and low feed efficiency birds an increased expression of genes related to the immune response. Furthermore, functional analysis and protein network interaction analysis revealed that genes including GATM, PSAT1, PSPH, PHGDH, VCAM1, CD44, KRAS, SRC, CAV3, NEDD9, and PTPRQ were key genes for feed efficiency. These key genes may be good potential candidates for biomarkers of feed efficiency in genetic selection in turkeys.