miR-152 targets pyruvate kinase to regulate the glycolytic activity of pig skeletal muscles and affects pork quality

As a type of non-coding RNA, microRNAs are widely involved in the biological processes of animals. In the present study, the expression of miR-152 in glycolytic muscle fibers (Longissimus thoracis, LT) was lower than that of oxidative muscle fibers (Psoas major, PM). Using dual luciferase assay, miR-152 was shown to target muscle pyruvate kinase (PKM) to perform biological functions. Moreover, overexpression of miR-152 in primary porcine cells inhibited PKM gene expression and reduced lactic acid production in cells, whereas inhibition of miR-152 expression promoted PKM gene expression and increased lactic acid production. Correlation analysis showed that the expression of miR-152 was significantly positively correlated with the ultimate pH of LT after slaughter, while the expression of the PKM gene was significantly negatively correlated with the final pH of LT. In vivo and in vitro experiments discussed herein suggest that miR-152 may affect muscle pH by targeting the expression of the PKM gene. Our findings enrich the understanding of the genetic regulatory network that influences pork quality.