miR-379-5p retards the proliferation and differentiation of goat skeletal muscle satellite cells by targeting LIN28B

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as crucial regulators of skeletal muscle development and regeneration; however, the biological functions of many miRNAs remain to be elucidated. In this study, we focused on the function of miR-379-5p, a miRNA we previously identified as highly expressed in the longissimus dorsi muscle of goats. Overexpression of miR-379-5p inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of goat skeletal muscle satellite cells (MuSCs), as evidenced by decreased expression of proliferation and differentiation markers, reduced EdU⁺ cells, and lower myotube formation. Through bioinformatics prediction and experimental validation, we identified <i>LIN28B</i> as a direct downstream target of miR-379-5p. Functional assays revealed that <i>LIN28B</i> promoted the proliferation and differentiation of MuSCs, whereas miR-379-5p suppressed these processes by decreasing <i>LIN28B</i> expression. Furthermore, miR-379-5p inhibited mitochondrial activity during the proliferation phase but promoted it during myogenic differentiation. Additionally, ectopic expression of <i>LIN28B</i> decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, suggesting that <i>LIN28B</i> impairs mitochondrial function. Overall, our findings highlight the role of miR-379-5p and <i>LIN28B</i> in regulating goat MuSCs activity and mitochondrial function, providing new insights into the role of miRNAs in skeletal muscle development.