MicroRNA-dependent regulation of targeted mRNAs for improved muscle texture in crisp grass carp fed with broad bean

Among legumes, broad bean (Vicia faba L.) has received particular attention due to its nutraceutical, functional and economic importance. The plant-derived microRNAs (miRNAs), as novel dietary functional components, are found to regulate the expression of endogenous mRNAs in vertebrates. To understand the role of broad bean miRNAs in the regulation of muscle texture, we investigated the miRNA-mRNA network in the established crisp grass carp model fed with broad bean. We identified various miRNAs that potentially improved muscle texture; miR-101b-3p activated Wnt signaling and satellite cell proliferation; miR-126-3p, miR-29a and miR-148b promoted hyperplasia by targeting muscle structure genes (tln2, TPM1, etc.); miR-152-5p and miR-185 regulated collagen expression via Smads signaling pathways; and miR-146a and miR-371-3p increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) by suppressing cat and prdx6. Among these changes, at least the Wnt signal activation was driven by broad bean-derived miR-101b-3p. This paper was conducted to investigate the cross-kingdom regulatory effects of broad bean miRNA on muscle structure and provide basic data for the development and application of broad bean.