Abstract
Altay is a typical fat-tailed sheep breed displaying the unique ability to rapidly mobilize fat, which is vital for maintaining a normal metabolism that facilitates its survival in lengthy winter conditions. However, the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying fat mobilization remain to be elucidated. In this study, the monitoring of rump fat adipocyte sizes disclosed a positive correlation between cell size and fat deposition ability. In addition, we subjected sheep to persistent starvation to imitate the conditions that trigger rump fat mobilization and screened 112 differentially expressed proteins using the isobaric peptide labeling approach. Notably, increased secretion of leptin and adiponectin activated the key fat mobilization signaling pathways under persistent starvation conditions. Furthermore, the upregulation of resistin (RETN), heat-shock protein 72 (HSP72), and complement factor D (CFD) promoted lipolysis, whereas the downregulation of cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector C (CIDEC) inhibited lipid droplet fusion, and the increase in HSP72 and apolipoprotein AI (Apo-AI) levels activated the body’s stress mechanisms. The synergistic actions of the above hormones, genes, and signaling pathways form a molecular network that functions in improving the adaptability of Altay sheep to extreme environments. Our findings provide a reference for elucidating the complex molecular mechanisms underlying rump fat mobilization.
Highlights
Fat tail is a stress resistance trait in sheep
Changes in the expression patterns of the proteins involved in these pathways provide a basis for clarifying the molecular mechanisms underlying rump fat deposition and mobilization in Altay sheep, which may be effectively utilized as a model for human metabolism, nutritional physiology, and diabetes research
To simulate the extreme states of rump fat deposition and mobilization, three Altay adult ewes were provided with limited feed during the winter months in Xinjiang, China
Summary
Fat tail is a stress resistance trait in sheep. Some sheep breeds hoard considerable fat in their tails in the forage-rich season, which protects against starvation during lack of forage and cold conditions [1]. Rump fat undergoes massive decomposition to provide energy for metabolism and resistance to cold weather in periods lacking grass growth, and the tail becomes flat and thin This type of high fat storage ability is associated with a number of problems, in that the economic value of the carcass is reduced (the amount of forage to deposit 1 kg of fat is sufficient to produce 2 kg of meat), and the market share is reduced because of the growing demand for a healthy diet. Changes in the expression patterns of the proteins involved in these pathways provide a basis for clarifying the molecular mechanisms underlying rump fat deposition and mobilization in Altay sheep, which may be effectively utilized as a model for human metabolism, nutritional physiology, and diabetes research
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