Long non-coding RNA <i>Gm10561</i> promotes myogenesis by sponging miR-432

Skeletal myogenesis is a highly ordered process finely regulated by various factors. Long non-coding RNAs play an important regulatory role in myogenesis via multiple mechanisms. In this study, we identified the lncRNA <i>Gm10561</i>, which was upregulated during myogenic differentiation and is highly expressed in skeletal muscle. Knockdown of <i>Gm10561</i> inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts <i>in vitro</i> and muscle growth <i>in vivo</i>. Overexpression of <i>Gm10561</i> promoted the proliferation and differentiation of both C2C12 myoblasts and porcine muscle satellite cells. Notably, lncRNA <i>Gm10561</i> is localized in the cytoplasm and competitively bound to miR-432, which directly targets <i>MEF2C</i> and <i>E2F3</i>. It was confirmed that lncRNA <i>Gm10561</i> regulates the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts by acting as a sponge of miR-432 to modulate <i>MEF2C</i> and <i>E2F3</i> expression. Thus, the lncRNA-<i>Gm10561</i>-miR-432-<i>MEF2C</i>/<i>E2F3</i> axis plays an important role in myogenesis.