Loading…
Agouti Signaling Protein and Its Receptors as Potential Molecular Markers for Intramuscular and Body Fat Deposition in Cattle
Transcriptome analyses of bovine muscle tissue differing in intramuscular fat (IMF) content identified agouti signaling protein (ASIP) as a promising candidate gene for fat deposition. The protein is secreted from adipocytes and may serve as a signaling molecule in cross-talk between adipocytes and...
Saved in:
Published in: | Frontiers in physiology 2018-03, Vol.9, p.172-172 |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Summary: | Transcriptome analyses of bovine muscle tissue differing in intramuscular fat (IMF) content identified agouti signaling protein (ASIP) as a promising candidate gene for fat deposition. The protein is secreted from adipocytes and may serve as a signaling molecule in cross-talk between adipocytes and muscle fibers or other cells. Known receptors for ASIP are the melanocortin receptors (e.g., MC4R) and attractin (ATRN). The present study was conducted to determine relationships between the expression of
and its receptors in different bovine tissues with fat deposition. Adipose tissues, liver, and longissimus muscle tissue were collected from 246 F
-generation bulls (Charolais Ă— Holstein cross) and gene expression was measured with RT-qPCR. During analysis of subcutaneous fat (SCF) of all bulls, 17 animals were identified with a transposon-derived transcript (Exon2C) inserted in the
gene and dramatically increased
mRNA levels. Significant correlations between normalized mRNA values of SCF and phenotypic traits related to fat deposition were found in bulls without Exon2C. Three retrospectively assigned groups [Exon2C,
= 17; high carcass fat (HCF),
= 20; low carcass fat (LCF),
= 20] were further analyzed to verify expression differences and elucidate molecular reasons. Expression of
could be detected in isolated muscle fibers and adipocytes of Exon2C bulls in contrast to HCF and LCF bulls, indicating ectopic
expression if the transposon is present. Among adipose tissues, highest
mRNA levels were measured in SCF with significantly higher values in HCF compared to LCF bulls (1.6-fold,
< 0.05). However, the protein abundance was below the detection limit in all bulls. Potential ASIP receptors were detected in most investigated tissues. The expression of
was higher and of
was lower in several tissues of LCF compared to HCF bulls, whereas
was not differentially expressed. Bulls of the Exon2C group had lower
mRNA values than HCF and LCF bulls in perirenal fat (PF), but higher (
< 0.05) values in muscle. Receptors were also expressed in tissues where
mRNA was not detected. Consequently, those tissues could be targets for ASIP if it circulates. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1664-042X 1664-042X |
DOI: | 10.3389/fphys.2018.00172 |