Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals that PCK1 is a potential gene affecting IMF deposition in buffalo

Jieping Huang,Deshun Shi,Yutong Wei,Yun Ma,Duo Guo,Xiaodan Cao,Xue Feng,Ruirui Zhu

doi:10.1186/s12864-020-07120-w

Jieping Huang, Deshun Shi + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-020-07120-w

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Abstract

BackgroundIn China, although buffaloes are abundant, beef is mainly obtained from cattle, and this preference is mainly attributed to the low intramuscular fat (IMF) content of buffalo. Genetic factors are an important driver that affects IMF deposition.ResultsTo reveal the intrinsic factors responsible for the low IMF content of buffalo, mRNA expression patterns in muscle and adipose tissue between buffalo and cattle were characterized by RNA sequencing analysis. The IMF content in Nanyang cattle was higher than that in Xinyang buffalo. A total of 1566 mRNAs expressed in adipose tissue showed differential expression between the longissimus dorsi muscles of buffalo and cattle. Functional annotation suggested a difference in the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway between the two species. The results of RT-qPCR analysis and gain-of-function experiments confirmed the positive association between the IMF content and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) expression in buffalo. In both mouse C2C12 cells and cultured bovine myocytes, the activity of the PCK1 promoter in buffalo is lower than that in cattle. However, in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes and cultured bovine adipocytes, the activity of PCK1 in buffalo promoter is higher than that in cattle.ConclusionsThese results indicate the important role of PCK1 in buffalo IMF deposition and illustrate the differences between buffalo and cattle promoter activity that drive PCK1 expression. This research helps to establish a foundation for further studies investigating IMF deposition in buffalo.

Highlights

In China, buffaloes are abundant, beef is mainly obtained from cattle, and this preference is mainly attributed to the low intramuscular fat (IMF) content of buffalo
The results of this study suggest a positive role of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) in buffalo IMF deposition, which can be used as a molecular marker for the improvement of buffalo meat quality through breeding
IMF content of Xinyang buffalo and Nanyang cattle To evaluate the effects of fattening in Xinyang buffalo and Nanyang cattle, the back fat thickness, longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) area (LMA), and IMF content were measured at slaughter

Summary

Introduction

In China, buffaloes are abundant, beef is mainly obtained from cattle, and this preference is mainly attributed to the low intramuscular fat (IMF) content of buffalo. Due to the low intramuscular fat (IMF) content, the quality of buffalo meat in terms of flavour and juiciness is poorer than that of cattle meat. Comparisons of the gene expression pattern in LM between cattle breeds with high or low IMF content has revealed that many lipid metabolism-related genes are associated with IMF deposition, including adiponectin, C1Q and collagen domain containing (ADIPOQ) [12], peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ or PPARG) [13], thyroid hormone responsive [7], and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) [7]. Based on the high-density genotypes, a genome-wide association study suggested that PPARG coactivator 1 alpha, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 gamma, and forkhead box P3 participated in IMF deposition in cattle [14]. Many studies have been performed on this subject, the molecular mechanism governing IMF deposition has not been elucidated

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