Identification of Myotendinous junction (MTJ) related mRNA

Myotendinous junction samples from horse superficial digital muscle (SDF) were compared to the neighbouring muscle and tendon tissue to identify genes with increased expression in myotendinous junction. Samples (MTJ, Muscle and Tendon) from 5 different horses (Equus caballus) were analyzed by RNAseq. Small samples from the SDF muscle with attached tendon were punched out using a 4 mm diameter biopsy puncher. The samples were mounted in for cryosectioning with tendon to one side. By sectioning parallel with the tendon, muscle and tendon specific samples were obtained (approx. 200 micrometer each) as well as a sample containing both muscle, tendon and the myotendinous junction (MTJ). RNA was purified from these 3*5 samples using TriReagent and analyzed using RNA seq.