Genome-wide RNA-Seq analysis of breast muscles of two broiler chicken groups differing in shear force

In this study, a whole transcriptome analysis of breast muscles was conducted in broiler chicken groups differing in shear force. Shear force is a determinant of tenderness, which in turn is one of the most important parameters of meat quality in chickens. In our analysis, a total of 11560 transcripts and 9824 genes per sample were identified. In chickens with more tender meat, up-regulation of 19 genes and down-regulation of 49 genes was observed. The up-regulated gene group included the ASB2 gene, which is probably involved in the meat conversion process, as its product results in the degradation of filamins, proteins which form muscle fibres. In the down-regulated gene group, genes which play a role in lipogenesis (THRSP, PLIN1) and in collagen synthesis (P4HA3, LEPREL4, PCOLCE2, COL16A1, COL20A1, VWA1) were detected. Their presence suggests the involvement of the extracellular matrix in the determination of meat tenderness. Thus, our study identified a pool of genes that may participate in the tenderisation process in broiler chickens.