# Preliminary investigation of the effect of ferulic acid on miRNAs and LncRNAs in Mongolian horse skeletal muscle satellite cells

## TL;DR

This study explores how ferulic acid affects muscle cell development in Mongolian horses through non-coding RNA interactions.

## Contribution

The study identifies a novel regulatory axis involving LncRNA MSTRG.7632.14 and eca-miR-6529 in response to ferulic acid.

## Key findings

- Ferulic acid treatment altered the expression of 18 miRNAs and 128 lncRNAs in horse muscle cells.
- LncRNA MSTRG.7632.14 was found to competitively bind eca-miR-6529, influencing PDK1 activity.
- Non-coding RNA interactions are linked to muscle fiber type transformation and cell proliferation.

## Abstract

Ferulic acid (FA), a natural antioxidant, has attracted considerable attention for its regulatory potential in skeletal muscle development, energy metabolism, and muscle fiber type transformation.

This study established a research system based on Mongolian horse skeletal muscle satellite cells to elucidate the molecular basis by which ferulic acid regulates muscle fiber type transformation through a non-coding RNA interaction network.

A total of 18 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMIRs) and 128 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were identified through transcriptome sequencing of the ferulic acid-treated (FA) group and the control group (NC). The target genes of non-coding RNAs are enriched in processes such as positive regulation of TOR signaling, cell migration, and positive regulation of vascular endothelial cell proliferation, where they play important roles in cell growth and proliferation. Dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed that LncRNA MSTRG.7632.14 competitively binds to eca-miR-6529, thereby relieving its inhibitory effect on PDK1 and forming a biologically functional regulatory axis.

This study reveals that ferulic acid can regulate muscle fiber proliferation and type transformation through the interaction network of non-coding RNAs and target genes, providing potential targets for optimizing the athletic performance and muscle function of equids.