Identification of RNA Editing Sites Reveals Functional Modifications with the Addition of Methionine to the Daily Rations of Yaks.

Methionine is an amino acid necessary for the growth and development of all animals. Glutathione produced during methionine metabolism can reduce damage to cells caused by oxidative stress. Supplementing restricted amino acids in animals by scientific means will be beneficial to protein synthesis, which will affect the growth and development of animals and will bring huge economic benefits when applied to actual production and life. In this study, we collected three muscle tissues from 24 male Maiwa yaks, which were fattened for three months with different methionine concentrations in their diet. RNA-seq was performed to obtain expression reads. A total of 1116 editing sites were identified by at least two software; the editing site types were mainly T-to-C and A-to-G mutations. We found two significant RNA editing sites presenting high-risk editing types. One was located on the gene that regulates the reduction of methionine, and the other can make changes to the properties of encoded proteins. This provides further understanding of the mechanism of yak muscle tissue and regulation of gene expression after the addition of methionine to daily rations.