Research Progress of the Methyltransferase METTL3 in Productivity Traits of Livestock and Poultry
ZHANG Juan-Li1,2,*, BU Ting1,2, XIAO Jia-Jia1,2, ZHANG Wen-Jie1,2, WANG Feng-Qin1,2, LIU Ling-Xia1,2, QIN Xue-Xue1,2, ZHANG Wei-Wei3
1 School of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Longdong University, Qingyang 745000, China; 2 Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Bio-resource Conservation, Utilization and Ecological Restoration in Longdong, Qingyang 745000, China; 3 College of Petrochemical Engineering, Longdong University, Qingyang 745000, China
Abstract：N6-methyladenosine (m6A), as the most prevalent post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotic mRNA, is widely involved in the regulation of gene expression. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), as the core catalytic enzyme for m6A modification, regulates gene expression by mediating m6A methylation, thereby significantly influencing key physiological processes in livestock and poultry, such as growth and development, fat metabolism, immune response, and disease resistance. This review focuses on the molecular structure and function of the METTL3 gene, as well as the latest advances in its regulatory roles in muscle development, fat metabolism, embryonic development, immune function, and disease resistance in livestock and poultry. This review provides theoretical support and potential molecular intervention targets for genetic improvement of livestock and poultry, providing a reference for continuously enhancing production efficiency.
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