Telomerase Activity and Myogenesis Ability as an Indicator of Cultured Turkey Satellite Cell Ability for In Vitro Meat Production

Telomerase activity is highly correlated to the proliferation capacity and immortality of cells. To evaluate the possibility of continuous culture, myoblasts were isolated from the Pectoralis thoracicus muscle of newborn turkeys and maintained in 2D (adherence based) and suspension cultures. Furthermore, adherent myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes. Telomerase activity was evaluated in all types of obtained cultures. The expression of telomerase related genes, including TERT1, TERT2, dyskerin, as well as myogenesis related genes, including myogenin, MyoD, MRF1 and MRF5 were measured. Telomerase bands were detected in both adherent and suspended cells, but they were not detected in samples from rat muscle. Myotube differentiation caused a significant reduction in the expression of TERT1, TERT2 and Dyskerin, while MyoD, Myogenin and MRF4 were upregulated in myotubes vs. myoblasts. Long-term culture of suspended myoblasts caused a significant increase in TERT1 levels, with no significant change in expression of myogenesis related genes. Overall, the results show that myoblasts are able to grow in suspension without losing their myogenic properties. Furthermore, upregulation of TERT1 indicates continued proliferation of myoblasts and generation of enough daughter cells necessary for in vitro meat production. Running title: Telomerase activity and myogenic properties of cultured Turkey satellite cells