The landscape of RNA 5-methylcytosine modification during chicken embryonic myogenesis

Skeletal muscle is a vital protein source for human diets, making its development a significant focus in poultry research. This study examines the effects of RNA 5-methylcytosine (m5C) modifications on chicken skeletal muscle development at two critical embryonic stages: before myoblast differentiation (E10) and after differentiation (E19). By employing MeRIP-seq, we analyzed the dynamic distribution of m5C modifications within the leg muscle transcriptome, uncovering notable differences in modification states between these two stages. Our results indicate that m5C modifications are widespread in chicken skeletal muscle transcriptome and present a unique distribution pattern. Unlike N6-methyladenosine modifications, which typically show a negative correlation with RNA expression, m5C modifications exhibited a weak positive correlation in our findings. Additionally, we identified multiple m5C peaks on important epigenetic regulators, including DNMT3A, DNMT3B, DNMT1, TET3, and METTL3. This observation suggests that RNA m5C may interact with these genes to jointly influence chicken skeletal muscle development. Furthermore, we identified key genes linked to m5C peaks that are enriched in pathways associated with cell cycle regulation, muscle growth, and lipid metabolism. This study provides valuable insights into the role of m5C modifications in the development of chicken skeletal muscle and highlights their potential for coordinating myogenesis and lipid metabolic processes.