Long non-coding RNA myoparr regulates GDF5 expression in denervated mouse skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic tissue and decreased skeletal muscle mass (muscle atrophy) results in deteriorated motor function and perturbed body homeostasis. Myogenin promoter-associated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Myoparr promotes skeletal muscle atrophy caused by surgical denervation; however, the precise molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we examined the downstream genes of Myoparr during muscle atrophy following denervation of tibialis anterior (TA) muscles in C57BL/6J mice. Myoparr knockdown affected the expression of 848 genes. Sixty-five of the genes differentially regulated by Myoparr knockdown coded secretory proteins. Among these 65 genes identified in Myoparr-depleted skeletal muscles after denervation, we focused on the increased expression of growth/differentiation factor 5 (GDF5), an inhibitor of muscle atrophy. Myoparr knockdown led to activated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in denervated muscles, as indicated by the increased levels of phosphorylated Smad1/5/8. Our detailed evaluation of downstream genes of Myoparr also revealed that Myoparr regulated differential gene expression between myogenic differentiation and muscle atrophy. This is the first report demonstrating the in vivo role of Myoparr in regulating BMP signaling in denervated muscles. Therefore, lncRNAs that have inhibitory activity on BMP signaling may be putative therapeutic targets for skeletal muscle atrophy.