The virtual element in proximal promoter of porcine myostatin is regulated by myocyte enhancer factor 2C

► A enhancer site located at −206 to −189 in porcine myostatin promoter is identified. ► The F1 site with A/T rich residues is crucial for porcine myostatin expression. ► MEF2C physically interacts with F1 site and upregulates the myostatin expression.