Functional study of the ST6GAL2 gene regulating skeletal muscle growth and development

ST6GAL2, a member of the sialoglycosyltransferase family, primarily localizes within the cellular Golgi apparatus. However, the role of the <i>ST6GAL2</i> gene in skeletal muscle growth and development remains elusive. In this study, the impact of the <i>ST6GAL2</i> gene on the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of primary chicken myoblasts at the cellular level was investigated. Quantitative fluorescent PCR was used to measure the expression levels of genes. Subsequently, using gene knockout mice, we assessed its effects on skeletal muscle growth and development <i>in vivo</i>. Our findings reveal that the <i>ST6GAL2</i> gene promotes the expression of cell cycle and proliferation-related genes, including <i>CCNB2</i> and <i>PCNA</i>, and apoptosis-related genes, such as <i>Fas</i> and <i>Caspase-9</i>. At the individual level, double knockout of <i>ST6GAL2</i> inhibited the formation of both fast and slow muscle fibers in the quadriceps, extensor digitorum longus, and tibial anterior muscle, while promoting their formation in the gastrocnemius and soleus. These results collectively demonstrate that the <i>ST6GAL2</i> gene facilitates the proliferation, apoptosis, and fusion processes of primary chicken myoblasts. Additionally, it promotes the enlargement of cross-sectional muscle fiber areas and regulates the formation of fast and slow muscle fibers at the individual level, albeit inhibiting muscle fusion. This study provides valuable insights into the role of the <i>ST6GAL2</i> gene in promoting proliferation of skeletal muscle.