Identification of differentially expressed genes between subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissue of Large White pig using RNA-seq.

To explore the molecular mechanisms of lipid accumulation in different types of adipose tissue, the transcriptomes of the subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissues from the Large White pig were determined using RNA-seq technology and bioinformatics methods. The differential gene expression profiles were identified and analyzed with the Gene Ontology, KEGG pathway and protein-protein interaction network strategies. There were 180 differentially expressed genes between the two adipose tissues. The genes up-regulated in the subcutaneous, as compared to intramuscular, adipose tissues were mainly involved in the biological processes related to lipid metabolism. The down-regulated genes were significantly enriched in MAPK signaling pathway, suggesting that this signaling pathway could have an important regulatory role(s) in adipocyte differentiation. In summary, differentially expressed genes between the subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissues were predominantly involved in lipid metabolism/accumulation and regulation of adipogenesis in the Large White pig.