Gene expression differences associated with intrinsic hindfoot muscle loss in the jerboa, Jaculus jaculus

Muscle is a highly adaptable tissue capable of undergoing environmentally-induced changes and remarkable evolutionary adaptations. Muscle atrophy, a common feature in various myopathies as well as other conditions like cancer and diabetes, has been studied at the transcriptomic level, uncovering shared molecular factors. The lesser Egyptian jerboa, adapted for bipedal locomotion in a desert environment, experiences natural muscle loss in its foot. Cellular characterization of this process revealed similarities with human skeletal muscle atrophy, such as the loss of Desmin and upregulation of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. By using RNA-sequencing, gene candidates associated with muscle loss in jerboa were identified, and genome-wide comparisons with established mouse models of muscle dystrophy/atrophy elucidated shared molecular signatures. These findings provide valuable insights into the genes and pathways involved in natural muscle loss and contribute to understanding the evolutionary relationship between natural and pathological muscle loss.