Nutrigenomics and Beef Quality: A Review about Lipogenesis

Abstract

The objective of the present review is to discuss the results of published studies that show how nutrition affects the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and how diet manipulation might change marbling and composition of fat in beef. Several key points in the synthesis of fat in cattle take place at the molecular level, and the association of nutritional factors with the modulation of this metabolism is one of the recent targets of nutrigenomic research. Within this context, special attention has been paid to the study of nuclear receptors associated with fatty acid metabolism. Among the transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) stand out. The mRNA synthesis of these transcription factors is regulated by nutrients, and their metabolic action might be potentiated by diet components and change lipogenesis in muscle. Among the options for dietary manipulation with the objective to modulate lipogenesis, the use of different sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, starch concentrations, forage ratios and vitamins stand out. Therefore, special care must be exercised in feedlot feed management, mainly when the goal is to produce high marbling beef.

Review: Nutrigenomics of marbling and fatty acid profile in ruminant meat

“…Or, although fatty acid profile in the rumen is altered, does the muscle tend to maintain a pattern of their concentrations? To help answer these questions, research on how different fatty acids modulate expression of genes involved in muscle lipid metabolism have become important (Ladeira et al, 2016), of which the main results are shown in this review.…”

Tissue expression profiles and transcriptional regulation of elongase of very long chain fatty acid 6 in bovine mammary epithelial cells

“…The SREBF family is essential to the regulation of milk lipogenic genes expression, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthetase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), desaturation fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) [25]. Additionally, among the transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism of beef cattle, PPARs and SREBFs stand out [26]. …”

Gene Regulation in Ruminants: A Nutritional Perspective

“…The importance of this TF for nutrigenomics in ruminants cannot be overstated since this was the first nutrigenomic effect documented. And the importance of this TF in the regulation of fat synthesis has also been observed in beef cattle and translated in marbling and meat quality [26]. A section on this commonality between dairy and beef cattle is dedicated at the end of this chapter.…”

“…Nutrigenomics study the interactions between nutrients and genes [85], that is how the nutrients present in the diet can affect gene expression. In beef animals, nutrigenomics was widely studied [26]; following, a more detailed description of how specific nutrients regulate the expression of genes related to muscle growth and intramuscular fat deposition will be addressed.…”