Abstract
Simple SummaryEpigenetic mechanisms regulate gene expression and depend of nutrition. In farm animals, and concretely, in pigs, some papers on protein nutrition have been realized to improve several productive traits. Changes in protein diet influence on epigenetic mechanisms that could affect productive and reproductive traits in individuals and their offspring. The purpose of this review was to update the current knowledge about the effects of these nutritional changes on epigenetic mechanisms in pigs.Epigenetic changes regulate gene expression and depend of external factors, such as environment and nutrition. In pigs, several studies on protein nutrition have been performed to improve productive and reproductive traits. Indeed, these studies aimed not only to determine broad protein requirements but also pigs’ essential amino acids requirements. Moreover, recent studies tried to determine these nutritional requirements for each individual, which is known as protein precision nutrition. However, nutritional changes could affect different epigenetic mechanisms, modifying metabolic pathways both in a given individual and its offspring. Modifications in protein nutrition, such as change in the amino acid profile, increase or decrease in protein levels, or the addition of metabolites that condition protein requirements, could affect the regulation of some genes, such as myostatin, insulin growth factor, or genes controlling cholesterol and glucose metabolism pathways. This review summarizes the impact of most common protein nutritional strategies on epigenetic changes and describes their effects on regulation of gene expression in pigs. In a context where animal nutrition is shifting towards precision protein nutrition (PPN), further studies evaluating the effects of PPN on animal epigenetic are necessary.
Highlights
The first definition of epigenetics was done in 1940 by Waddington [1]
Pregnant rats with a choline-deficient diet presented hypermethylation of these regions, so H19 is inhibited and IGF2 expression increases [60]. Epigenetic regulation of this gene and its relationship with nutrition have been well-known since the Dutch Hunger Winter in 1944/1945 in humans, when pregnant women exposed to famine had descendants with less DNA methylation at the IGF2 gene, and these losses were maintained up to 60 years [61]
The results indicated that low protein levels increase the expression of genes related to p53 pathways and negative regulators of cell growth and metabolism, in addition to genes involved in epigenetic changes [119]
Summary
The first definition of epigenetics was done in 1940 by Waddington [1]. Currently, different epigenetic regulation processes are known. The main acquaintances are DNA methylation, histone modifications, regulation by non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), and mechanisms that control chromatin organization. Different nutritional strategies are being investigated in protein and amino acids content, which are directly related to both productive traits, as reduction of boar taint in meat, and to improve the meat quality [8,9]. These changes could have an epigenetic effect on animals, and their offspring. We summarize different strategies in pig’s nutrition, and their possible consequences in epigenetic regulation
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