<i>METTL3</i> Regulated the Meat Quality of Rex Rabbits by Controlling <i>PCK2</i> Expression via a YTHDF2–N6-Methyladenosine Axis

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal mRNA modification in eukaryotes. The M6A modification plays an important role in transcription and cell function. The mechanism by which m6A modification regulates meat quality remains elusive. In this study, gene knockout and overexpression were used to explore m6A-modified regulation of meat quality. The content of PCK2 in blood increased significantly with the increase of Rex rabbits’ age. PCK2 expression levels in the longissimus lumborum and liver also increased significantly with the increase of Rex rabbits’ age. However, the expression level of PCK2 showed no significant difference in adipose tissue. In cell experiments, we found that METTL3 inhibited adipocyte differentiation by targeting the PCK2 gene via the recognition function of YTHDF2. Finally, the results of correlation analysis showed that PCK2 expression was positively correlated with intramuscular fat, whereas PCK2 expression was negatively correlated with total water loss rate at three different stages. In addition, PCK2 expression was also negatively correlated with reduced pH value at 75 and 165 days. Intramuscular fat content, pH and muscle water holding capacity are the main factors affecting the taste and flavor of muscle. Therefore, N6-methyladenosine regulated muscle quality by targeting the PCK2 gene.

Keywords

• Rex rabbits
• m⁶A methylation
• <i>PCK2</i> gene
• meat quality
• flavor and taste