Transcriptomic and epigenomics atlas of myotubes reveals insight into the circadian control of metabolism and development [RNA-Seq]

Aim: Innate circadian rhythms are critical for optimal tissue-specific functions, including skeletal muscle, a major insulin-sensitive tissue responsible for glucose homeostasis. We determined whether transcriptional oscillations are associated with CpG methylation changes in skeletal muscle. Materials & methods: We performed rhythmicity analysis on the transcriptome and CpG methylome of circadian synchronized myotubes. Results: We identified several transcripts and CpG-sites displaying oscillatory behavior, which were enriched with GO terms related to metabolism and development. Oscillating CpG methylation was associated with rhythmic expression of 31 transcripts. Conclusion: Although circadian oscillations may be regulated by rhythmic DNA methylation, strong rhythmic associations between transcriptome and CpG methylation were not identified. This resource constitutes a transcriptomic/epigenomic atlas of skeletal muscle and regulation of circadian rhythms. Overall design: Time course in triplicate of C2C12 cells in 6h time intervals from 12h til 60h after synchronization by serum shock.