ZBTB18-mediated STAT1 transcriptional repression contributes to bovine myogenesis, implying an association with oxidative myofiber formation and beef eating quality

Skeletal muscle development, orchestrated by muscle stem cells (MuSCs), is a critical determinant of meat yield and quality in cattle. Transcription factors (TFs) are pivotal regulators of MuSCs fate, yet their specific roles in meat quality remain largely unexplored. In this study, we integrated ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analyses to delineate the chromatin accessibility landscape and transcriptomic dynamics during bovine MuSCs myogenesis, identifying <i>ZBTB18</i> as a core TF dynamically regulated in this process. <i>ZBTB18</i> expression was higher in muscles enriched with oxidative myofibers and positively correlated with beef eating quality-related parameters. Functional assays demonstrated that <i>ZBTB18</i> inhibits MuSCs proliferation while promoting myogenic differentiation, with a specific bias toward oxidative myofiber formation. Mechanistically, we established that <i>ZBTB18</i> acts as a transcriptional repressor of <i>STAT1</i>. Our findings unveil <i>ZBTB18</i> as a novel regulator of bovine myogenesis via transcriptional repression of <i>STAT1</i>. Notably, <i>ZBTB18</i> expression is significantly associated with oxidative myofiber formation and beef eating quality. These findings also provide a strategic target for precision breeding to enhance meat quality in cattle.