College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 12;14(1):27677. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-78054-6.
Backfat thickness is an important economic trait that affects pork quality and flavor. The Lijiang pig (LJP), a local breed in Yunnan province, China, exhibits variations in growth and body composition. However, the molecular basis for these variations is unclear. This study aimed to analyze transcriptome profiles of backfat at different growth stages in LJP with discrepant body size: two months (M2), four months, and six months. Firstly, we analyzed the gene expression differences and discovered a significantly highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the M2 stage. Secondly, we identified four gene profiles with reverse expression trends in LJP populations with different body sizes, and the related genes mainly associated with immune response functionality. Thirdly, we observed a lower correlation in LJP with large body size at the M2 stage, with a specific enrichment of DEGs with high genetic differentiation related to neural activity. Finally, we correlated transcriptome profiles of muscle and backfat and discovered the lowest correlation at the M2 stage. Highly correlated genes exhibited more significant differences and were prominently enriched for immune response processes. This study unveils candidate genes linked to backfat growth in LJP, emphasizing the specificity of the early growth stage of backfat.
背膘厚度是影响猪肉品质和风味的重要经济性状。中国云南省的地方品种丽江猪（LJP）在生长和体成分上存在差异。然而，这些变异的分子基础尚不清楚。本研究旨在分析不同生长阶段（2 月龄、4 月龄和 6 月龄）、体尺差异较大的丽江猪背膘组织的转录组谱。首先，我们分析了基因表达差异，发现 2 月龄时差异表达基因（DEGs）数量最多。其次，我们鉴定了四个在不同体尺丽江猪群体中呈反向表达趋势的基因谱，相关基因主要与免疫应答功能相关。第三，我们观察到 2 月龄时大型体尺丽江猪的相关性较低，与神经活动相关的高遗传分化的 DEGs 特异性富集。最后，我们对肌肉和背膘的转录组谱进行了相关性分析，发现 2 月龄时相关性最低。高度相关的基因表现出更显著的差异，并且显著富集于免疫应答过程。本研究揭示了与丽江猪背膘生长相关的候选基因，强调了早期背膘生长阶段的特异性。
