Plateau Adaptation Gene Analyses Reveal Transcriptomic, Proteomic, and Dual Omics Expression in the Lung Tissues of Tibetan and Yorkshire Pigs

Abstract

Elevated environments such as plateaus are often classified as low oxygen environments. The hypoxic adaptation mechanisms utilized by organisms in these conditions are not well understood. To address this, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in hypoxia adaptation were assessed using two pig breeds (Tibetan pig [TP] and Yorkshire sow [YY]). Genes related to lung tissue responses to hypoxia were assessed using transcriptomic (using RNA-seq) and proteomic (using iTRAQ) analysis. A total of 1021 DEGs were screened out. In the iTRAQ omics data, a total of 22,100 peptides were obtained and 4518 proteins were found after filtering. A total of 271 differentially expressed proteins [DEPs] were screened using the conditions of p < 0.05; FC ≤ 0.833; and FC ≥ 1.2. A total of 14 DEGs at the mRNA and protein levels were identified and found to be associated with regulation of the inflammatory response; blood particles; and MAPK cascade response regulation. Among the DEGs, six were associated with hypoxia adaptation function (mitochondria and glycolysis) in pigs. The results of this study identify novel candidate genes involved in porcine hypoxia adaptation mechanisms.

Exploring the role of the CapG gene in hypoxia adaptation in Tibetan pigs

“…The expression of CapG was also observed to increase in lung cancer cell lines under hypoxic conditions (Shao et al, 2011). In a screening study of candidate genes related to hypoxia adaptation, the CapG gene was found to be expressed in both Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs and enriched in regulatory pathways related to plateau hypoxia acclimatization (Shang et al, 2022).…”

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Yorkshire Pig Liver Reveals Its Response to High Altitude

“…1,2 In recent years, plains pig breeds such as Yorkshire pigs have been raised on a large scale in the Tibetan Plateau region to complement the rapid growth in local meat consumption. 3 In addition, captive breeding patterns and efficient feed conversion rates help to reduce the adverse effects of animal husbandry on the plateau environment. However, the adaptation and molecular mechanisms of Yorkshire pigs (plains pig breeds) to high-altitude environments have not been fully elucidated.…”

“…Yorkshire pigs with low fat, high leanness, and good feeding performance are mainly used for commercial pork production. , In recent years, plains pig breeds such as Yorkshire pigs have been raised on a large scale in the Tibetan Plateau region to complement the rapid growth in local meat consumption . In addition, captive breeding patterns and efficient feed conversion rates help to reduce the adverse effects of animal husbandry on the plateau environment.…”