Integrative analysis of RNA-seq and Ribo-seq reveals that lncRNA regulates myogenesis through encoding peptide

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as participants in various critical regulatory steps during myogenesis. And, some lncRNAs possess the capacity to encode small peptides, which can regulate gene expression through multiple mechanisms, thereby participating in key biological processes. This study first identified lncRNA ENSGALT00000100638 as a potential candidate for encoding the open reading frame ORF50682 through correlation analysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and ribosome sequencing (Ribo-seq) data. The coding capacity of ORF50682 was subsequently validated via Western blot (WB) and mass spectrometry detection. Subsequently, we confirmed that ORF50682 promotes myoblast proliferation while inhibiting differentiation. Further research has revealed that ORF50682 interacts with the protein encoded by the proliferation marker gene CDK1. In summary, lncRNA ENSGALT00000100638 encodes a functional small peptide through ORF50682, and ORF50682 plays a key regulatory role in the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts through this small peptide. These findings will further enrich our understanding of the regulatory network and molecular mechanism of chicken muscle development.