Molecular cloning, characterization, and expression analysis of fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) in the pigeon (Columba livia domestica)

• Published in: Poultry science 2012-07, Vol.91 (7), p.1670-1679
• Main Authors: Xie, P, Zhang, A T, Wang, C, Azzam, M M M, Zou, X T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; CD36 Antigens - genetics; CD36 Antigens - metabolism; Cloning, Molecular; Columbidae - embryology; Columbidae - genetics; Columbidae - metabolism; Fatty Acids - pharmacology; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - drug effects; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - physiology; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic - drug effects; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic - physiology; Molecular Sequence Data; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism
• ISSN: 0032-5791
• DOI: 10.3382/ps.2011-02097

Fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays an important role in transporting long-chain fatty acids. In the current study, a full-length cDNA of FAT/CD36 was first cloned from the intestine of White King pigeon by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The full-length cDNA of pigeon FAT/CD36 was 2,282 bp, including a 5'-untranslated region of 224 bp, a 3'-untranslated region of 642 bp, and an open reading frame of 1,416 bp encoding a protein of 471 amino acids with the predicted molecular weight of 52.7 kDa. Sequence comparison indicated that FAT/CD36 of pigeon had high identity with other avian FAT/CD36. Using quantitative real-time PCR, expression of FAT/CD36 was the greatest in the duodenum at 28 d posthatch, and in the jejunum, the expression of FAT/CD36 at 14 d posthatch was greater than at 8 d but the same as 28 d posthatch. However, in the ileum, expression of FAT/CD36 peaked at embryonic d 15 and 8 d posthatch. The effects of long-chain fatty acids on pigeon FAT/CD36 and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) mRNA expression were also investigated in vitro. It showed that a low concentration (5 μM) of oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid can significantly increase FAT/CD36 and PPARγ mRNA level in pigeon jejunum. However, for linolenic acid or arachidonic acid, the induction of both gene expressions needed a higher concentration (50 μM or 250 μM). Two hundred and 50 μM palmitic acid was shown to suppress FAT/CD36 gene expression. The results suggest that FAT/CD36 may be a representative of intestine development in pigeon, and it could be regulated by long-chain fatty acids via PPARγ pathway.