CircRRAS2 promotes myogenic differentiation of bovine MuSCs and is a novel regulatory molecule of muscle development

The proliferation and myogenic differentiation of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are important factors affecting muscle development and beef quality. There is increasing evidence that circRNAs can regulate myogenesis. We found a novel circRNA, named circRRAS2 that is significantly upregulated in the differentiation phase of bovine MuSCs. Here, we aimed to determine its roles in the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of these cells. The results showed that circRRAS2 was expressed in several bovine tissues. CircRRAS2 inhibited MuSCs proliferation and promoted myoblast differentiation. In addition, chromatin isolation by using RNA purification and mass spectrometry in differentiated muscle cells identified 52 RNA-binding proteins that could potentially bind to circRRAS2, in order to regulate their differentiation. The results suggest that circRRAS2 could be a specific regulator of myogenesis in bovine muscle.

Automated summary

In this study, a newly identified circular RNA, circRRAS2, was found to be significantly upregulated during the differentiation phase of bovine muscle stem cells (MuSCs). CircRRAS2 was shown to inhibit MuSCs proliferation and promote myoblast differentiation. Furthermore, chromatin isolation with RNA purification and mass spectrometry identified 52 RNA-binding proteins that could potentially interact with circRRAS2 to regulate muscle cell differentiation. These findings suggest that circRRAS2 may serve as a specific regulator of myogenesis in bovine muscle.