He Xige, Han Yunfei, Chen Lu, Yun Yueying, Huang Yajuan, Borjigin Gerelt, Nashun Buhe
Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Molecular Regulation of the Cell, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China.
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010040, China.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Apr 2;26(7):3324. doi: 10.3390/ijms26073324.
Adipose tissue metabolism plays a crucial role in sheep meat quality and the optimization of adipose tissue utilization. To reveal the molecular mechanisms of adipose tissue metabolism during growth in naturally grazing sheep, we investigated the mRNA and miRNA profiles in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from naturally grazing Sunit sheep at 6, 18, and 30 months of age (Mth-6, Mth-18, and Mth-30). We identified 927 differentially expressed (DE) genes and 134 DE miRNAs in the SAT of sheep at different growth stages. Specifically, the expressions of , , , , , , , , , , , , and genes were significantly upregulated in Mth-18 and Mth-30 compared to that in Mth-6. These genes promoted fatty acid synthesis, triglyceride synthesis, gluconeogenesis, and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and decreased glycolysis, leading to increased adipocyte proliferation and fat deposition. Notably, our findings suggested that the reduced activity of the AMPK signaling pathway may be regulated by and during sheep growth. Furthermore, our results revealed several DE miRNAs, , , , , and , that potentially influence fat metabolism. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis and new insights into the molecular mechanisms of adipose tissue metabolism during growth in naturally grazing sheep.
脂肪组织代谢在绵羊肉品质及脂肪组织利用的优化中起着关键作用。为揭示自然放牧绵羊生长过程中脂肪组织代谢的分子机制，我们研究了6月龄、18月龄和30月龄（Mth - 6、Mth - 18和Mth - 30）自然放牧苏尼特羊皮下脂肪组织（SAT）中的mRNA和miRNA谱。我们在不同生长阶段绵羊的SAT中鉴定出927个差异表达（DE）基因和134个DE miRNA。具体而言，与Mth - 6相比， 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 和 基因在Mth - 18和Mth - 30中的表达显著上调。这些基因促进脂肪酸合成、甘油三酯合成、糖异生和细胞外基质 - 受体相互作用，并减少糖酵解，导致脂肪细胞增殖和脂肪沉积增加。值得注意的是，我们的研究结果表明，在绵羊生长过程中，AMPK信号通路活性的降低可能受 和 的调控。此外，我们的结果揭示了几个可能影响脂肪代谢的DE miRNA， 、 、 、 、 和 。总体而言，本研究为自然放牧绵羊生长过程中脂肪组织代谢的分子机制提供了理论基础和新见解。
