Myostatin gene silencing by RNA interference in chicken embryo fibroblast cells

Myostatin (MSTN), a member of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, is a negative regulator of the skeletal muscle growth, and suppresses the proliferation and differentiation of myoblast cells. Dysfunction of MSTN gene either by natural mutation or genetic manipulation (knockout or knockdown) has been reported to interrupt its proper function and to increase the muscle mass in many mammalian species. RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) has become a powerful tool for gene knockdown studies. In the present study transient silencing of MSTN gene in chicken embryo fibroblast cells was evaluated using five different shRNA expression constructs. We report here up to 68% silencing of myostatin mRNA using these shRNA constructs in transiently transfected fibroblasts (p < 0.05). This was, however, associated with induction of interferon responsive genes (OAS1, IFN-β) (3.7–64 folds; p < 0.05). Further work on stable expression of antimyostatin shRNA with minimum interferon induction will be of immense value to increase the muscle mass in the transgenic animals.

► We tested five shRNA vectors for MSTN gene silencing in chicken embryo fibroblast.
► 68% silencing was observed with one shRNA vector.
► Interferon induction was 3.7 fold (IFN-β) to 64 folds (OAS1).