Differentially expressed genes involved in lipid metabolism in the muscle tissue of Alentejano and Bísaro pig breeds

The Alentejano (AL) and Bísaro (BI) pigs stand as the predominant local breeds raised in Portugal. AL pigs are characterized by lower growth rates and precocious and higher lipid deposition, particularly of monounsaturated fatty acids, when compared to BI pigs. Lipid and fatty acids composition of meat and meat products are important features for consumers health, and gene expression is a decisive process determining fatty acid composition and deposition rates in the muscle tissue of every mammal. This study investigates the transcriptomic fundamentals associated to the phenotypical differences through a real-time qPCR approach on a set of candidate genes responsible for regulating lipid metabolism processes. Longissimus lumborum samples were collected at slaughter from five animals of each breed raised under similar conditions until ~150kg BW. Total RNA was extracted, and target cDNA was amplified to estimate expression levels when compared to endogenous control genes. Several lipogenic related genes were found to be overexpressed in the AL breed including ACLY (log2FC=0.50, p<0.05), ELOVL6 (log2FC=0.67, p<0.01), ME1 (log2FC=0.78, p<0.05), while other major lipogenic markers, such as FASN (log2FC=0.45, p=0.09) and ACACA (log2FC=0.28, p=0.17) did not attain statistical significancy, but indicate a tendency towards AL. The gene coding for the central appetite regulation hormone (LEP) was detected as significantly overexpressed in AL (log2FC=1.60, p<0.05), which may suggest the occurrence of leptin resistance in this breed, comparable to what happens with the genetically similar Iberian pig, failing to decrease feeding and increase stored energy expenditure. Similarly, adiponectin resistance is predicted to have developed in AL pigs since higher ADIPOQ levels (log2FC=0.90, p<0.01) are associated with leaner animals due to the activation of fatty acid oxidation pathways by this regulator. These results agree with the previously described high intramuscular fat content profile of the AL breed, essential in enhancing the overall sensory quality of its meat and meat products

Transcriptomic profiling of skeletal muscle reveals candidate genes influencing muscle growth and associated lipid composition in Portuguese local pig breeds

Gene expression is one of the main factors to influence meat quality by modulating fatty acid metabolism, composition, and deposition rates in muscle tissue. This study aimed to explore the transcriptomics of the Longissimus lumborum muscle in two local pig breeds with distinct genetic background using next-generation sequencing technology and Real-Time qPCR. RNA-seq yielded 49 differentially expressed genes between breeds, 34 overexpressed in the Alentejano (AL) and 15 in the Bísaro (BI) breed. Specific slow type myosin heavy chain components were associated with AL (MYH7) and BI (MYH3) pigs, while an overexpression of MAP3K14 in AL may be associated with their lower loin proportion, induced insulin resistance, and increased inflammatory response via NFkB activation. Overexpression of RUFY1 in AL pigs may explain the higher intramuscular (IMF) content via higher GLUT4 recruitment and consequently higher glucose uptake that can be stored as fat. Several candidate genes for lipid metabolism, excluded in the RNA-seq analysis due to low counts, such as ACLY, ADIPOQ, ELOVL6, LEP and ME1 were identified by qPCR as main gene factors defining the processes that influence meat composition and quality. These results agree with the fatter profile of the AL pig breed and adiponectin resistance can be postulated as responsible for the overexpression of MAP3K140s coding product NIK, failing to restore insulin sensitivity

Long term betaine supplementation regulates genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism of two muscles from an obese pig breed

This study evaluates the effects of betaine supplementation (1 g kg−1 for 20 weeks) on the regulation of genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism of Longissimus lumborum and Biceps femoris from obese Alentejano pigs. Betaine supplementation led to an increase in total cholesterol in both muscles, complementing results previously published indicating a significant increase on the intramuscular lipid content. The expression of twelve genes involved in lipogenesis, lipolysis/FA oxidation, FA transport, and cholesterol metabolism, as well as two transcription factors were also evaluated. Genes related to lipid and cholesterol synthesis plus FA transport were consistently up-regulated in both muscles of betaine fed pigs. On the other hand, genes related to lipolysis/FA oxidation were not affected or down-regulated by betaine supplementation. Our data suggest that the underlying mechanism regulating IMF and cholesterol accumulation in Alentejano pigs supplemented with betaine is associated with the up-regulation of genes involved in lipid synthesis, FA transport, and cholesterol synthesis

Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue from Local Pig Breeds

When compared to modern lean-type breeds, Portuguese local Alentejano (AL) and Bísaro (BI) pig breeds present a high potential for subcutaneous and intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition which contributes for better meat quality. The aim of this work was to explore the genome function to better understand the underlying physiological mechanisms associated with body fat accretion. Dorsal subcutaneous fat samples were collected at slaughter from adult animals (n = 4 for each breed) with ~150 kg body weight. Total RNA was obtained and sequenced for transcriptome analysis using DESeq2. A total of 458 di erentially expressed (DE) genes (q-value < 0.05) were identified, with 263 overexpressed in AL and 195 in BI. Key genes involved in de novo fatty acid biosynthesis, elongation and desaturation were upregulated in AL such as ACLY, FASN, ME1, ELOVL6 and SCD. A functional enrichment analysis of the DE genes was performed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Cholesterol synthesis is suggested to be higher in AL via SREBF2, SCAP and PPARG, while lipolytic activity may be more active in BI through GH and AMPK signalling. Increased signalling of CD40 together with the predicted activation of INSIG1 and INSIG2 in BI suggests that this breed is more sensitive to insulin whereas the AL is less sensitive like the Iberian breed

Synthesis of titanate nanofibers co-sensitized with ZnS and Bi2S3 nanocrystallites and their application on pollutants removal

The synthesis of nanocomposite materials combining titanate nanofibers (TNF) with nanocrystalline ZnS and Bi2S3 semiconductors is described in this work. The TNF were produced via hydrothermal synthesis and sensitized with the semiconductor nanoparticles, through a single-source precursor decomposition method. ZnS and Bi2S3 nanoparticles were successfully grown onto the TNF's surface and Bi2S3-ZnS/TNF nanocomposite materials with different layouts were obtained using either a layer-by-layer or a co-sensitization approach. The samples' photocatalytic performance was first evaluated through the production of the hydroxyl radical using terephthalic acid as probe molecule. All the tested samples show photocatalytic ability for the production of this oxidizing species. Afterwards, the samples were investigated for the removal of methylene blue. The nanocomposite materials with best adsorption ability for the organic dye were the ZnS/TNF and Bi2S3ZnS/TNF. The removal of the methylene blue was systematically studied, and the most promising results were obtained considering a sequential combination of an adsorption-photocatalytic degradation process using the Bi2S3ZnS/TNF powder as a highly adsorbent and photocatalyst material.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figure

A series of algebras generalizing the octonions and Hurwitz-Radon identity

International audienceWe study non-associative twisted group algebras over (ℤ2)n with cubic twisting functions. We construct a series of algebras that extend the classical algebra of octonions in the same way as the Clifford algebras extend the algebra of quaternions. We study their properties, give several equivalent definitions and prove their uniqueness within some natural assumptions. We then prove a simplicity criterion. We present two applications of the constructed algebras and the developed technique. The first application is a simple explicit formula for the following famous square identity: (a21+⋯+a2N)(b21+⋯+b2ρ(N))=c21+⋯+c2N , where c k are bilinear functions of the a i and b j and where ρ(N) is the Hurwitz-Radon function. The second application is the relation to Moufang loops and, in particular, to the code loops. To illustrate this relation, we provide an explicit coordinate formula for the factor set of the Parker loop

Evidence for a mixed mass composition at the `ankle' in the cosmic-ray spectrum

We report a first measurement for ultra-high energy cosmic rays of the correlation between the depth of shower maximum and the signal in the water Cherenkov stations of air-showers registered simultaneously by the fluorescence and the surface detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Such a correlation measurement is a unique feature of a hybrid air-shower observatory with sensitivity to both the electromagnetic and muonic components. It allows an accurate determination of the spread of primary masses in the cosmic-ray flux. Up till now, constraints on the spread of primary masses have been dominated by systematic uncertainties. The present correlation measurement is not affected by systematics in the measurement of the depth of shower maximum or the signal in the water Cherenkov stations. The analysis relies on general characteristics of air showers and is thus robust also with respect to uncertainties in hadronic event generators. The observed correlation in the energy range around the `ankle' at $\lg(E/{\rm eV})=18.5-19.0$ differs significantly from expectations for pure primary cosmic-ray compositions. A light composition made up of proton and helium only is equally inconsistent with observations. The data are explained well by a mixed composition including nuclei with mass $A > 4$. Scenarios such as the proton dip model, with almost pure compositions, are thus disfavoured as the sole explanation of the ultrahigh-energy cosmic-ray flux at Earth.Comment: Published version. Added journal reference and DOI. Added Report Numbe