Characteristics of Transcriptome and Metabolome Concerning Intramuscular Fat Content in Beijing Black Pigs

Abstract

To study the characteristics of genes and metabolites related to intramuscular fat (IMF) content with less influence by breed background and individual differences, the skeletal muscle samples from 40 Beijing black pigs with either high or low IMF content were used to perform transcriptome and metabolome analyses. About 99 genes (twofold-change) were differentially expressed. Up-regulated genes in the high IMF pigs were mainly related to fat metabolism. The key genes in charge of IMF deposition are ADIPOQ, CIDEC, CYP4B1, DGAT2, LEP, OPRL1, PLIN1, SCD, and THRSP. KLHL40, TRAFD1, and HSPA6 were novel candidate genes for the IMF trait due to their high abundances. In the low IMF pigs, the differentially expressed genes involved in virus resistance were up-regulated. About 16 and 18 differential metabolites (1.5 fold-change) were obtained in the positive and negative modes, respectively. Pigs with low IMF had weaker fatty acid oxidation due to the down-regulation of various carnitines. Differentially expressed genes were more important in determining IMF deposition than differential metabolites because relatively few differential metabolites were obtained, and they were merely the products under the physiological status of diverged IMF content. This study provided valuable information for further studies on IMF deposition.

Adipocyte Progenitor Pools Composition and Cellular Niches Affect Adipogenesis Divergence in Porcine Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Fat

“…Therefore, we employed combined lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses to explore those intricate phenomena. Currently, research on the intrinsic characteristics about porcine IMF is limited to comparing skeletal muscles with varying IMF content ,− or studying the in vitro differentiation of isolated unmature IMAs. , One limitation of comparing skeletal muscles is that muscle can influence the IMF transcriptome, while in vitro studies might not fully replicate in vivo conditions. Our analysis, involving dissection of porcine IMF for further study, showed that IMF is richer in unsaturated fatty acids and shows higher gene expression for unsaturated fatty acid synthesis compared to SCF, as previous findings .…”

Single-nucleus RNA sequencing and lipidomics reveal characteristics of transcriptional and lipid composition in porcine longissimus dorsi muscle

“…The analysis of the expression patterns of DEGs related to FA synthesis, such as ACACA , ACSF3 , OXSM , CBR4 , and HSD17B8 , between Mashen pigs and Large White pigs showed that IMF accumulation occurred between 90 and 180 days [ 49 ]. The key genes that regulate IMF deposition are ADIPOQ , CIDEC , CYP4B1 , DGAT2 , LEP , OPRL1 , PLIN1 , SCD and THRSP [ 50 ]. The GPAT1 , AGPAT1 , AGPAT2 , LIPIN1 , and DGAT genes are related to TG biosynthesis [ 51 ].…”

LEP inhibits intramuscular adipogenesis through the AMPK signaling pathway in vitro

“…In addition to the meat yield, there is an increasing demand for high-quality meat. 1 Intramuscular fat (IMF) content is an important indicator for evaluating beef quality, closely related to the flavor, juiciness, tenderness, and nutritional value of beef. 2 Additionally, the abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in IMF is more beneficial to cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of fat metabolism-related diseases.…”

“…With the improvement in living standards, beef has become one of the primary sources of meat for humans. In addition to the meat yield, there is an increasing demand for high‐quality meat 1 . Intramuscular fat (IMF) content is an important indicator for evaluating beef quality, closely related to the flavor, juiciness, tenderness, and nutritional value of beef 2 .…”