Postnatal expression patterns and polymorphism analysis of the bovine myocyte enhancer factor 2C (Mef2C) gene

• Mef2C mRNA was expressed at a high level in adult skeletal and cardiac muscles.
• Mef2C expression was markedly lower in the semitendinosus muscle.
• Mef2C expression between dairy and meat cattle breeds showed significant differences.
• Mef2C promoter variant does not affect the level of mRNA in the muscles.

The aim of this study was to analyze the level of expression of the Mef2C gene in the developing bovine longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle (at 6, 9 and 12 months of age) and to evaluate differences in expression among Polish Holstein–Friesian (HO) and Limousine (LM) bulls. Moreover, the expression patterns of Mef2C in different tissues were determined. The results showed that Mef2C mRNA was expressed at a high level in adult skeletal and cardiac muscles. Moreover, Mef2C expression was markedly lower in the semitendinosus (ST) than in the gluteus medius (GM) and LD muscles. A relatively higher Mef2C mRNA and MEF2C protein level was estimated in the muscles of HO bulls at the age of 12 months in comparison with its lower expression in LM bulls. Furthermore, we found that the Mef2C promoter variant (GU211004:g.-1606C>T) does not affect the level of mRNA in the LD and ST muscles of 12-month-old HO bulls.