Distinctive genes determine different intramuscular fat and muscle fiber ratios of the longissimus dorsi muscles in Jinhua and landrace pigs.

Meat quality is determined by properties such as carcass color, tenderness and drip loss. These properties are closely associated with meat composition, which includes the types of muscle fiber and content of intramuscular fat (IMF). Muscle fibers are the main contributors to meat mass, while IMF not only contributes to the sensory properties but also to the plethora of physical, chemical and technological properties of meat. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that determine meat composition in different pig breeds. In this report we show that Jinhua pigs, a Chinese breed, contains much higher levels of IMF than do Landrace pigs, a Danish breed. We analyzed global gene expression profiles in the longissimus dorsi muscles in Jinhua and Landrace breeds at the ages of 30, 90 and 150 days. Cross-comparison analysis revealed that genes that regulate fatty acid biosynthesis (e.g., fatty acid synthase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase) are expressed at higher levels in Jinhua pigs whereas those that regulate myogenesis (e.g., myogenic factor 6 and forkhead box O1) are expressed at higher levels in Landrace pigs. Among those genes which are highly expressed in Jinhua pigs at 90 days (d90), we identified a novel gene porcine FLJ36031 (pFLJ), which functions as a positive regulator of fat deposition in cultured intramuscular adipocytes. In summary, our data showed that the up-regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis regulatory genes such as pFLJ and myogenesis inhibitory genes such as myostatin in the longissimus dorsi muscles of Jinhua pigs could explain why this local breed produces meat with high levels of IMF.

Introduction

The Jinhua pig, named after Jinhua City in Zhejiag Province of eastern China, is a traditional, slow-growing breed with a high IMF content and is popular for its superior quality pork. Jinhua ham, a type of dry-cured ham produced from the meat of Jinhua pigs is the most famous brand name s in China and Jinhua ham was awarded first prize in the 1915 Panama International Merchandise Exhibition. Jinhua pigs show strong competency of oxidative metabolism and adipogenesis, which are believed to induce more satisfactory features in muscles, such as favorable meat color, marbling and flavor [1], [2]. In contrast, Landrace pigs, a commercial breed of Danish origin selected over many generations for rapid growth and enhanced carcass yield, show low activities of oxidative metabolism and adipogenesis which lead to trace amounts of fat depot. As a consequence, Landrace pigs produce comparatively less flavorful pork [3]–[5]. Thus, these two pig breeds serve as ideal models to study porcine growth performance and meat quality.

Skeletal muscle is the primary abundant porcine tissue that comprises 20to 50% of total body mass among different pig breeds, and is the main tissue responsible for meat production in pigs. It is also the major metabolic tissue and contributes up to 40% of the resting metabolic rate in adult pigs [6]. Skeletal muscle is a heterogeneous tissue that is composed of four muscle fiber types including oxidative (type I and IIa) and glycolic (type IIb) fibers [7]. Muscle with a higher content of oxidative fiber contains a higher percentage of lipids, capillaries, myoglobin and mitochondria [8]. Favorable meat traits such as color, flavor and tenderness have been found to be closely associated with a higher content of oxidative fibers in muscles [9], [10]. In addition, individuals with muscles that are abundant in oxidative fibers are less likely to produce pale, soft, exudative (PSE) meat. Therefore, understanding the molecular processes that govern the development and phenotypic characteristics of skeletal muscle is instrumental in the breeding of pigs with high meat quality.

Microarray technology can simultaneously examine the differential expression of a large number of genes in a given tissue [7], [11] and has been widely used to compare gene expression profiles for the identification of candidate genes responsible for relevant phenotypes [12]–[14]. For example, microarray analysis showed that sexual dimorphism of adipose tissue is determined by differentially regulated sex-specific genes regardless of diet [15]. In contrast, comparison of global gene expression profiles using Affymetrix Mu11K SubB containing 6516 probe sets revealed only 49 differentially expressed genes in the quad (white muscle) and the soleus (red muscle) [16]. Based on a home-made porcine cDNA microarray carrying 5,500 cDNA clones, Bai et al. identified 115 differentially expressed genes between the psoas (red muscle) and the longissimus dorsi (white muscle) of a 22-week-old Berkshire pig [17]. Over the past decade, a tremendous amount of porcine transcriptomics data has been obtained using the pig cDNA microarray [18]–[20], while the Affymetrix porcine genome array showed particularly superior performance for swine transcriptomics [21], [22]. However, reports on the comparison of global gene expression patterns in the skeletal muscles of different pig breeds at different developmental stages are lacking. In this study, a global gene expression profiling investigation was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes in longissimus dorsi muscles of Jinhua and Landrace pigs at three developmental stages using the Affymetrix GeneChip® Porcine Genome Array containing oligonucleotides representing approximately 23937 transcripts from 20201 porcine genes. We found that genes involved in adipogenesis and myogenesis were differentially expressed in Jinhua and Landrace pigs. To validate the potential utility of our microarray data, we characterized the expression and function of a novel gene, pFLJ, that is one of the genes up-regulated in Jinhua pigs at the age of d90 using both drug and gene-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment approaches in cultured intramuscular adipocyte precursor cells. Our results showed that knockdown of pFLJ expression down-regulated the genes involved in fat biosynthesis and reduced fat deposition, suggesting that pFLJ is a novel regulator of adipogenesis in the muscle.

Results and Discussion

Comparison of Carcass Traits and Meat Quality Features between Jinhua and Landrace Pig Breeds

The overall appearance of a typical adult Jinhua pig is very different from that of a Landrace pig (Figure 1A). Growth performance, meat quality and carcass traits in Jinhua and Landrace pigs at the same age (d30, d60, d90, d120, d150, days of age) were compared. Our results showed that from the age of d30 to d150, on average, Jinhua pigs gained approximately 40 kg in weight, while Landrace pigs gained about 70 kg (Figure 1B), demonstrating that the Jinhua were apparently growing more slowly than the Landrace. Analysis of the lean meat ratio (LMR) and loin meat area (LMA) showed that both were significantly lower in Jinhua pigs aged from d30 to d150 (Table 1). In contrast, Jinhua pigs exhibited significantly greater back fat thicknesses (BFT) and fat meat ratios (FMR) (Table 1, P<0.01). For example at d150, BFT and FMR in Jinhua pigs were about 2- and 2.4-fold higher, respectively (BFT: 23.7 mm in Jinhua versus 12.0 mm in Landrace; FMR: 32.4% in Jinhua versus 13.3% in Landrace) (Table 1).

Figure 1

The Landrace breed grows faster than does the Jinhua breed.

(A) Photographs showing three Jinhua pigs and one Landrace pig at d150. (B) Comparison of the body weight of Jinhua and Landrace pigs at the age of d30, d60, d90, d120 and d150, respectively. Landrace pigs gained weight much faster than Jinhua pigs. Pigs were slaughtered at around the age of d30, d90 and d150 (nine individuals per stage) and d60 and d120 (three individuals per stage) for each breed. Data are presented as means ± standard error. *P<0.05, **P<0.01.

Table 1

Determination of carcass traits and meat quality in Jinhua and Landrace pigs at the age stage of 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days age.1

Items		30		60		90		120		150
		Jinhua(n = 9)	Landrace (n = 9)	Jinhua(n = 3)	Landrace (n = 3)	Jinhua(n = 9)	Landrace (n = 9)	Jinhua(n = 3)	Landrace (n = 3)	Jinhua(n = 9)	Landrace (n = 9)
BFT2 (mm)		9.33±1.23A	2.15±0.45B	11.00±1.07A	6.24±0.63B	20.03±0.91A	6.00±0.58B	21.90±0.76A	10.33±0.88B	23.70±0.92A	12.00±1.00B
FMR3 (%)		14.86±1.03A	6.70±0.94B	15.60±2.37A	7.01±0.24B	26.21±1.13A	7.67±0.54B	29.58±1.30A	8.36±0.29B	32.40±1.75A	13.26±1.26B
LMR4 (%)		44.27±0.52A	51.97±2.45B	47.19±1.28A	62.01±3.23B	42.73±1.13A	70.77±1.81B	40.78±0.64A	69.59±1.48B	41.01±1.48A	68.46±2.08B
LMA5 (cm2)		0.48±0.01	0.87±0.08	1.06±0.10	1.32±0.21	1.47±0.01A	3.19±0.05B	1.72±0.05A	4.04±0.69B	2.49±0.05A	5.40±0.21B
PH45 6		5.99±0.19	6.12±0.12	6.26±0.25	6.50±0.11	6.31±0.06	6.52±0.09	6.15±0.02	6.46±0.13	6.39±0.04	6.32±0.36
Color7	l*	44.46±0.95A	41.11±0.63B	44.07±0.24	44.54±0.47	44.12±0.93	43.12±0.28	42.91±1.08	40.77±0.85	44.25±0.96A	39.77±0.26B
	a*	12.27±0.92	15.17±0.68	9.71±0.31	11.52±0.37	9.96±0.68	10.02±0.39	10.50±0.59	10.22±0.09	8.52±0.66a	10.33±0.39b
	b*	11.66±0.71	11.54±0.53	10.28±0.31	10.74±0.12	11.02±0.36	11.31±0.0.32	10.86±0.33	8.74±0.14	9.92±0.35	9.45±0.34

Results are presented as means ± standard error.

BFT = back fat thickness.

FMR = fat meat ratio.

LMR = lean meat ratio.

LMA = longissimus muscle area.

PH45 = pH value at 45 min postmortem.

Color = meat color. l*, a*, b* represent as lightness, redness and yellowness, respectively.

Means with different superscripts of capital or lowercase letter at the same row of the same age are significantly different (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

It was previously reported that the Chinese Dahe pig breed displayed higher pH values (6.08) than the western crossbred Dawu sire line pig breed (5.79) 24 h postmortem [23]. A high pH value at 45 min post mortem (pH45; 6.00–6.58) is known to correlate with a lower incidence of PSE meat [24]. We determined the pH45 values of both Jinhua and Landrace pigs at d30, d60, d90, d120 and d150, and found that they all ranged between 6.0- and 6.5 (Table 1), with no statistically significant differences between the two breeds. These results suggested that both breeds are less likely to produce PSE meat. Meat color parameters (L*, lightness; a*, redness; b*, yellowness) are used as an index of meat quality. Analysis of the color parameters showed that there was a significant tendency for the a* value in muscle longissimus dorsi to be lower in Jinhua pigs than in Landrace pigs at the age of d150 whilst L* and b* did not differ significantly between the two breeds (Table 1). However, several reports have shown that color parameters are not an adequate indicator of meat quality when the breed has a high IMF content [25]–[27].

Jinhua Pigs have a High Content of IMF

Oil red O staining showed that the distribution pattern of fat in the longissimus dorsi muscles in Jinhua pigs was more abundant than that in Landrace pigs (Figure 2A). Measurement of fat content revealed significant differences between Jinhua and Landrace pigs; Jinhua pigs showed a higher IMF content at all stages examined (Figure 2B). Notably, the IMF contents in Jinhua pigs showed a steady increase from d60 (1.48%), d90 (2.25%), d120 (3.20%) to d150 (3.38%) age stages, while that in Landrace pigs remianed relatively stable from d60 (1.13%), d90 (1.28%) to d120 (1.31%) with a only slight increase at d150 (1.79%) (Figure 2B, P<0.01). Interestingly, the IMF contents in both breeds decreased slightly from d30 to d60 (Figure 2B; P<0.01). Our results support previous findings that Jinhua pigs have greater BFT and IMF but lower LMR and LMA than Landrace pigs at the same age [28]. These characteristics define the superior flavor of Jinhua pork [29], [30].

Figure 2

The Jinhua breed has a higher IMF content than the Landrace breed.

(A) Oil Red O staining of longissimus dorsi muscles in Jinhua and Landrace pigs, respectively. Oil Red O stained IMF displayed a red color. (B) Comparison of IMF contents in longissimus dorsi muscles in Jinhua and Landrace pigs at the age of d30, d60, d90, d120 and d150, respectively. Pigs were slaughtered at around the age of d30, d90 and d150 (nine individuals per stage) and d60 and d120 (three individuals per stage) for each breed. Data are presented as means ± standard error. **P<0.01. Scale bars, 100 µm.

Global Gene Expression Profiles of longissimus dorsi Muscles in Jinhua and Landrace Pigs at d30, d90, and d150

By comparing features of growth rate (Figure 1B) and IMF content (Figure 2), we noted that the differences between Jinhua and Landrace pigs at d30, d90 and d150 three stages can be used to represent the early initiation, steady growth and maturation of myogenesis and adipogenesis in muscle, respectively. Based on this assumption, we decided to extract total RNAs from the longissimus dorsi muscles of both breeds at d30, d90, and d150 to perform microarray hybridization. Data obtained from 18 gene-chip hybridizations (nine gene-chips for each breed, three repeats for each stage) were processed according to the procedures described in Materials and Methods. We compared the global gene expression profiles of Jinhua pigs at d90 or d150 with that at d30. Our data showed that, in comparison with their expression at d30, a total of 419 differentially expressed genes were identified in longissimus dorsi muscles at d90, including 177 up-regulated genes (d90-up) and 242 down-regulated genes (d90-down) (Table 2; Table S1 and S2). A total of 490 differentially expressed genes were identified in longissimus dorsi muscles at d150, including 101 up-regulated (d150-up) genes and 389 down-regulated (d150-down) genes (Table 2; Table S3 and S4). Clustering analysis of microarray data [31] showed that, compared with their expression at d30, 37 genes were both d90-up and d150-up, 109 genes were d90-down and d150-down, two genes were d90-up but d150-down, and six genes were d30-down but d150-up (Table 2).

Table 2

Summary of the number of genes up- or down-regulated in longissimus dorsi muscles in Jinhua or Landrace pigs at age of d90 and d150.1

		No. of genes		No. of genes
Jinhua pigs	d90-up	177	d90-down	242
	d150-up	101	d150-down	389
	d90- & d150-up	37	d90- & d150-down	109
Landrace pigs	d90-up	106	d90-down	231
	d150-up	93	d150-down	387
	d90- & d150-up	11	d90- & d150-down	64
d90-up, Jinhuavs Landrace		2	d90-down, Jinhua vs Landrace	8
d150-up, Jinhuavs Landrace		6	d150-down, Jinhua vs Landrace	57

Number of genes was obtained by comparing the expression profiles between d30 and d90 or d30 and d150 in each breed. Details are listed in Tables S2 (d90-up in Jinhua pigs), S3 (d90-down in Jinhua pigs), S4 (d150-up in Jinhua pigs), S5 (d150-down in Jinhua pigs), S6 (d90-up in Landrace pigs), S6 (d90-down in Landrace pigs), S7 (d150-up in Landrace pigs), and S8 (d150-down in Landrace pigs).

In contrast, in longissimus dorsi muscles of Landrace pigs, 106 d90-up, 231 d90-down, 93 d150-up, 383 d150-down genes were identified, respectively, when compared with expression at d30 (Table 2; Table S5, S6, S7, S8). Clustering analysis of microarray data showed that, in comparison to expression at d30, 31 genes were both d90-up and d150-up, and 64 genes were d90-down and d150-down. Interestingly, no gene was found to be d90-up but d150-down or d90-down but d150-up (Table 2).

The fact that no or only a limited number of genes belonged to the d90-up/d150-down or d90-down/d150-up categories in both breeds suggests that the transcriptome operates sequentially to support the development of longissimus dorsi muscle during the d30 to d150 period. This provides a possible explanation for the continuous gain in muscle mass during this developmental window.

We also compared the d90-up and d90-down genes in Jinhua pigs with those of Landrace pigs. The results showed that only 0.7% of d90-up and 1.7% of d90-down genes were shared in these two breeds (Table 2). For d150-up and d150-down genes, only 3.2% of d150-up and 7.9% of d150-down genes were common to the two breeds (Table 2). These data clearly indicates that different genes are mobilized in these two breeds to govern the development of their respective longissimus dorsi muscles.

Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed in Jinhua and Landrace Pigs during Muscle Development

The global expression profiles in longissimus dorsi muscles at d30, d90 and d150 in Jinhua pigs were compared with those in Landrace pigs at corresponding stages. A total of 375, 431 and 1195 genes were identified at d30, d90 and d150 age of stage, respectively, with at least 2.0-fold difference (P value<0.05) between two breeds (Table 3). Among these, 176, 276 and 525 genes corresponding to the stages of d30, d90 and d150 were up-regulated in Jinhua pigs (Jinhua-up genes) (Table 3; Table S9, S10, S11), and 199, 155 and 670 genes corresponding to the stages of d30, d90 and d150 were down-regulated (Jinhua-down genes) (Table 3; Table S12, S13, S14).

Table 3

Summary of the number of genes differentially expressed in longissimus dorsi muscles in Jinhuan and Landrace pigs at age of d30, d90 and d150.1

		No. of genes		No. of genes
30d	Jinhua-up	176	Jinhua-down	199
90d	Jinhua-up	276	Jinhua-down	155
150d	Jinhua-up	525	Jinhua-down	670

Number of genes was obtained by comparing the expression profiles between Jinhua and Landrace pigs of the same age. Details are listed in Tables S10 (d30 Jinhua-up), S11 (d90 Jinhua-up), S12 (d150 Jinhua-up), S13 (d30 Jinhua-down), S14 (d90 Jinhua-down), S15 (d150, Jinhua-down).

Among the differentially expressed genes identified by microarray in longissimus dorsi muscles of Jinhua and Landrace pigs at d90, 16 Jinhua-up genes (AY589691.1, CO993113, BF712908, CN153105, BF078710, BX924812, CF365450, NM_213785, NM_213938.1, NM_214392, BQ600160, BI399912, U83916.1, CF176622, NM_214294.1, NM_214236.1) were selected for validation by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Our results showed that with the exception of NM_214392 all of the selected genes were confirmed to be Jinhua-up genes (Figure 3). However, we notied that, although the patterns of differential expression of the examined genes were qualitatively similar between microarray and qPCR analysis (which shows the reliability of our microarray analysis), the fold changes obtained by the two approaches differed. We reasoned that this may be due to the greater accuracy of quantitation provided by qPCR compared with microarraysor to differences in the scope of magnitude of measurement of the two techniques [32].

Figure 3

Validation of microarray data by qPCR.

Validation by qPCR of 16 genes up-regulated in longissimus dorsi muscles of Jinhua pigs at d90 by qPCR. The qPCR values are shown as expression fold changes after normalization against the control 18s rRNA. Data are presented as means ± standard error. Gene ID was as shown. The full names of gene IDs representing AY589691.1, CO993113, BF712908, CN153105, BF078710, NM_213785.1, NM_213938.1, NM_214392.1, BI399912, U83916.1, NM_214294.1, NM_214236.1 are adiponectin, heat shock 105kDa/110kDa protein 1, lipoprotein lipase, carbonic anhydrase II, leukemia inhibitory factor receptor, tissue factor, 3-oxoacid CoA transferase 1, lysozyme, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, connective tissue growth factor, tropomodulin 3 and myoglobin. BX924812, CF365450, BQ600160, CF176622 are novel genes.

Adipose Deposition Related Genes are Differentially Activated in Jinhua and Landrace Pigs

A high IMF ratio is considered to be the major factor that contributes to the flavor of Jinhua meat. We noted that the IMF ratio in Jinhua pigs (2.25%) was ∼76% higher than that in Landrace pigs (1.28%) at d90 (Figure 2B), suggesting that, in addition to muscle development, IMF development program in Jinhua pigs must be activated at this time-point. We analyzed the differentially expressed genes in the two breeds at d30, d90 and d150 to elucidate the relationship between differential gene expression patterns and phenotypic differences in their longissimus dorsi muscles. Table 4, Table 5, and Table 6 (for pigs at d30, d90 and d150, respectively) listed the representative differentially expressed genes known to be related to adipose deposition and muscle development based on the OMIM database of National Center for Biotechnolgy Information (NCBI) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/) and relevant publications that described their biological function.

Table 4

List of representative genes for adipogenesis and myogenesis differentially expressed in longissimus dorsi muscle in Jinhua and Landrace (L) pigs at d30.

Probe ID	Gene ID	Gene name	Gene Symbol	J/L Z score
Adipose metabolism related genes_(Jinhua-up)
Ssc.16159.1.S1_at	NM_213781.1	stearoyl-CoA desaturase	SCD	5.97
Ssc.5538.1.S1_at	CN153105	similar to Carbonic anhydrase 2	LOC100154873	4.60
Ssc.1225.1.S1_at	CK455955	Similar to acetyl-Coenzyme A acyltransferase 1	LOC100152567	3.15
Ssc.17347.1.S1_at	NM_214349.1	pyruvate carboxylase	PC	2.78
Ssc.22959.1.S1_at	BX676168	phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1	CH242-37G9.2	6.63
Ssc.1147.2.S1_at	BF712908	Lipoprotein lipase	LPL	2.79
Ssc.6784.1.S1_at	AY686758.1	lipase, hormone-sensitive	LIPE	3.08
Ssc.18175.1.A1_at	CN166778	fatty acid synthase	FASN	6.13
Ssc.4360.1.A1_at	CB471223	fatty acid binding protein 3	FABP3	2.61
Ssc.18549.1.S1_at	AY589691.1	C1Q and collagen domain containing adiponectin	ADIPOQ	3.18
Ssc.11096.1.S1_at	NM_213938.1	3-oxoacid CoA transferase 1	OXCT1	2.59
Ssc.4021.1.S1_at	BG608754	1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 1	SBAB-649D6.6	2.24
Adipose metabolism related genes_(Jinhua-down)
Ssc.4292.1.S1_a_at	BF193243	similar to Peroxisomal biogenesis factor 19	LOC100154884	−2.94
Ssc.8779.1.A1_at	AJ658284	Similar to Apolipoprotein O-like	LOC100153260	−3.11
Ssc.10131.1.A1_at	BI399912	pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4	PDK4	−3.65
Ssc.8139.1.S1_at	CB475937	Phytanoyl-CoA 2-hydroxylase	PHYH	−2.12
Ssc.21431.3.A1_s_at	CF789622	phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase	CH242-38B5.2	−2.95
Ssc.1942.1.S1_at	CN166665	lipin 1	LPIN1	−3.12
Ssc.9365.1.S1_at	NM_213883.1	insulin-like growth factor 2	IGF2	−2.65
Ssc.18585.1.S1_at	CN155220	beta glucuronidase	GUSB	−2.42
Ssc.13262.1.S1_at	BX924410	eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1	EIF4EBP1	−2.90
Ssc.217.1.S1_at	NM_214060.1	esterase D	ESD	−2.39
Muscle development related genes_(Jinhua- up)
Ssc.10256.1.A1_at	BI400362	phosphodiesterase 4B, cAMP-specific	PDE4B	3.72
Ssc.9096.1.S1_at	BF075680	MyoD family inhibitor domain containing	MDFIC	2.13
Ssc.9984.1.A1_at	BI399508	Kruppel-like factor 4	KLF4	2.09
Ssc.657.1.A1_at	NM_214214.1	chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2	CCL2	3.78
Ssc.1901.1.A1_at	CO939491	cardiac muscle alpha actin 1	ACTC1	2.52
Ssc.9013.1.S1_at	NM_213878.1	calponin 1, basic, smooth muscle	CNN1	2.82
Muscle development related genes_ (Jinhua- down)
Ssc.12901.1.A1_at	BI404128	similar to Peripheral plasma membrane protein CASK	LOC100153146	−2.32
Ssc.10232.1.A1_at	BI400288	similar to myosin regulatory light chain interacting protein	LOC100155795	−2.12
Ssc.21763.1.A1_at	CK456888	gamma Sarcoglycan	SGCG	−4.34
Ssc.715.1.S1_at	NM_214236.1	myoglobin	MB	−2.78
Ssc.16626.1.S1_at	AY188502.1	myogenic factor 6	MYF6	−2.03
Ssc.73.1.S1_at	NM_214014.1	forkhead box O1	FOXO1	−2.06
Ssc.7146.1.A1_at	BI182779	ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A, member 1	ABCA1	−3.57
Ssc.3715.3.A1_at	CA778869	Solute carrier family 7	SLC7A7	−2.19

Table 5

List of representative genes for adipogenesis and myogenesis differentially expressed in longissimus dorsi muscle in Jinhua and Landrace (L) pigs at d90.

Probe ID	Gene ID	Gene name	Gene Symbol	J/L Z score
Adipose metabolism related genes_(Jinhua-up)
Ssc.1680.1.S1_at	CK451176	similar to WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1	LOC100157283	2.04
Ssc.6238.2.S1_at	BI400300	similar to adenylate kinase 3	LOC100155691	2.59
Ssc.10131.1.A1_at	BI399912	pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4	PDK4	2.16
Ssc.16335.1.S1_at	AY686760.1	lipoprotein lipase	LPL	3.05
Ssc.9637.1.S1_at	NM_213909.1	glutamate-ammonia ligase (glutamine synthetase)	GLUL	4.25
Ssc.31165.1.S1_at	BF191227	caveolin 2	CAV2	2.81
Ssc.1203.1.S1_at	AU055626	C1Q and collagen domain containing adiponectin	ADIPOQ	2.42
Ssc.142.1.S1_at	NM_214039.1	acyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase, C-4 to C-12 straight chain	ACADM	2.21
Ssc.11096.1.S1_at	NM_213938.1	3-oxoacid CoA transferase 1	OXCT1	2.31
Ssc.777.1.S1_at	AF414124.1	11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoform 1	HSD11B1	2.43
Adipose metabolism related genes_(Jinhua-down)
Ssc.4292.1.S1_a_at	BF193243	similar to Peroxisomal biogenesis factor 19	LOC100154884	−2.22
Ssc.8779.1.A1_at	AJ658284	Similar to Apolipoprotein O-like	LOC100153260	−2.16
Ssc.6498.1.A1_at	BI360380	Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12	MAPK12	−2.00
Ssc.11557.1.A1_at	BI183574	ISG15 ubiquitin-like modifier	ISG15	−2.76
Ssc.15800.1.S1_at	NM_214099.1	insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5	IGFBP5	−2.09
Ssc.9365.2.S1_a_at	CK463136	insulin-like growth factor 2	IGF2	−2.42
Muscle development related genes_(Jinhua- up)
Ssc.16664.1.A1_at	BG382637	Kruppel-like factor 9	KLF9	2.06
Ssc.9984.1.A1_at	BI399508	Kruppel-like factor 4	KLF4	2.96
Ssc.235.2.S1_at	M20160.1	calpastatin	CAST	2.22
Ssc.335.1.S2_at	AF188635.1	myostatin	MSTN	2.25
Muscle development related genes_(Jinhua- down)
Ssc.715.1.S1_at	NM_214236.1	myoglobin	MB	−2.56
Ssc.11858.1.S1_at	CN163410	fibromodulin	FMOD	−2.41
Ssc.1901.1.A1_at	CO939491	cardiac muscle alpha actin 1	ACTC1	−4.48
Ssc.10297.1.S1_at	BX666372	capping protein (actin filament) muscle Z-line, beta	CAPZB	−2.23
Ssc.7538.1.S1_at	BQ604786	cadherin 1, type 1, E-cadherin (epithelial)	CDH1	−2.97

Table 6

List of representative genes for adipogenesis and myogenesis differentially expressed in longissimus dorsi muscle in Jinhua and Landrace (L) pigs at d150.

Probe ID	Gene ID	Gene Name	Gene Symbol	J/L Z score
Adipose metabolism related_(Jinhua-up)
Ssc.2430.1.S1_at	CN156586	similar to solute carrier family 27	LOC100155567	2.18
Ssc.1294.3.S1_at	BX672817	similar to nitrilase 1	LOC100155270	2.07
Ssc.11149.2.S1_at	AW359358	Similar to carbonic anhydrase IX	LOC100152792	2.19
Ssc.3284.1.S1_at	NM_001001636.1	ribosomal protein L32	RPL32	2.65
Ssc.806.1.A1_at	AJ296004	ribosomal protein L23	RPL23	2.57
Ssc.939.1.S1_at	BP172489	ribosomal protein L12	RPL12	2.24
Ssc.13910.1.S1_at	BX667169	phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase	PNMT	2.20
Ssc.37.1.S1_at	NM_214000.1	haptoglobin	HP	3.51
Ssc.18918.1.A1_at	CF365816	glutathione peroxidase 2	GPX2	4.59
Ssc.204.1.S1_at	NM_214423.1	cytochrome P450 3A29	CYP3A29	7.95
Ssc.825.1.S1_at	CK450245	claudin 7	CLDN7	3.10
Ssc.19471.1.A1_at	CF365558	Carboxylesterase 1 (monocyte/macrophage serine esterase 1)	CES1	2.25
Ssc.760.1.S1_at	NM_214246.1	carboxylesterase	CES3	2.92
Ssc.16162.1.S1_at	NM_214224.1	4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase	HPD	2.12
Adipose metabolism related_(Jinhua-down)
Ssc.1008.1.A1_at	BF703815	wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 10B	WNT10B	−2.11
Ssc.1049.1.S1_at	NM_213781.1	stearoyl-CoA desaturase	SCD	−7.06
Ssc.11488.2.S1_at	BF193243	similar to Peroxisomal biogenesis factor 19	LOC100154884	−2.43
Ssc.15928.1.A1_at	CF175359	insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7	IGFBP7	−2.36
Ssc.15950.1.S1_at	CN163405	insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6	IGFBP6	−3.32
Ssc.16169.1.S1_x_at	BP152514	insulin-like growth factor 2	IGF2	−3.74
Ssc.16473.1.S1_at	NM_214281.1	fumarate hydratase	FH	−2.40
Ssc.16671.1.S1_at	CB285696	fatty acid binding protein 2, intestinal	FABP2	−2.02
Ssc.17914.1.S1_at	CK461797	Cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1	LOC100169745	−3.29
Ssc.17991.1.A1_at	NM_214438.1	caveolin 1	CAV1	−2.00
Ssc.18061.1.A1_at	CF178743	calsarcin 1	LOC733663	−2.14
Ssc.18223.1.A1_at	BQ599486	C1q and tumor necrosis factor related protein 3	C1QTNF3	−3.46
Ssc.18296.2.S1_a_at	BF080387	ATP citrate lyase	ACL	−2.34
Ssc.18318.1.S1_at	BI401144	arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein	ALOX5AP	−3.42
Muscle development related_(Jinhua- up)
Ssc.13859.1.A1_at	CN069994	Unc-45 homolog B	UNC45B	2.47
Ssc.2464.1.S1_at	BI400766	Stanniocalcin 1	STC1	2.53
Ssc.18494.2.A1_at	CF180682	similar to ankyrin repeat domain 2 (stretch responsive muscle)	LOC100155185	3.74
Ssc.20874.3.A1_at	BP165311	similar to Alpha-centractin (Centrosome-associated actin homolog) (ARP1)	LOC100156619	2.23
Ssc.9781.1.S1_at	NM_213910.1	serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E (nexin, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1), member 1	SERPINE1	2.19
Ssc.16060.1.S1_at	AF128841.1	sarcolumenin precursor	CBPG	3.24
Ssc.21716.1.A1_at	BG834768	protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunit alpha isoform	LOC733611	2.29
Ssc.23978.1.S1_at	BF080704	phosphatase and actin regulator 3	CH242-60A21.1	2.50
Ssc.27600.1.S1_at	AY579430.1	paired box 3	PAX3	2.62
Ssc.10199.3.S1_at	CF364321	dystrobrevin binding protein 1	DTNBP1	2.23
Muscle development related_(Jinhua- down)
Ssc.12333.1.A1_at	CF366197	similar to fibronectin type III domain containing 1	LOC100154276	-3.22
Ssc.15316.1.S1_at	NM_001002824.1	myogenic differentiation 1	MYOD1	-2.41
Ssc.16494.1.A1_at	CB468993	fibronectin	FN1	-4.14
Ssc.16525.1.S1_at	CN163410	fibromodulin	FMOD	-5.33
Ssc.16584.1.A1_at	BI402879	fibrinogen-like 2	FGL2	-2.40
Ssc.1664.2.S1_at	NM_001001771.1	fibrillin 1	FBN1	-3.59

We first examined the genes related to adipose deposition. At d30, genes related to adipose deposition were clearly more active in Jinhua than in Landrace pigs (Jinhua-up genes) (Table 4). These include stearoyl-CoA desaturase (NM_213781.1), acetyl-Coenzyme A acyltransferase 1 (CK455955), lipoprotein lipase (BF712908) [33]–[35], hormone-sensitive lipase (AY686758.1) [36]–[38], fatty acid synthase (CN166778) [39]–[41], fatty acid binding protein 3 (CB471223) [42]–[44], C1Q and collagen domain containing adiponectin (AY589691.1) [45] and 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 1 (BG608754) etc. At d90 and d150, more adipose deposition-related genes were classified as Jinhua-up genes, including caveolin 2 (BF191227) [46]–[48], C-4 to C-12 straight chain acyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase (NM_214039.1) [49], [50], lipoprotein lipase (AY686760.1) and 3-oxoacid CoA transferase 1 (NM_213938.1) [51] etc at d90 (Table 5), and solute carrier family 27 member 4 (fatty acid transporter) (CN156586), nitrilase 1 (BX672817) [52], ribosomal protein L32 (NM_001001636.1), ribosomal protein L23 (AJ296004) [53], ribosomal protein L12 (BP172489), claudin 7 (CK450245) and carboxylesterase (NM_214246.1) [54]–[56] etc at d150 (Table 6). These expression signatures correlate well with the fact that Jinhua pigs have a high IMF content.

In contrast, the longissimus dorsi muscles of Landrace pigs were found to express genes (Jinhua-down) such as insulin-like growth factor 2 (NM_213883.1) [57], [58], insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (NM_214099.1) [59], [60], insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (CN163405) [59], insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (CF175359) [61], lipin 1 (CN166665) [62], [63] and peroxisomal biogenesis factor 19 (BF193243) from d30 to d150 (Table 4, Table 5, Table 6). These genes are known to be involved in regulating fatty acid oxidation [64]–[66], suggesting that the longissimus dorsi muscles of Landrace pigs have stronger active in fatty acid oxidation than deposition.

Muscle Development Related Genes are Differentially Expressed in Jinhua and Landrace Pigs

In contrast to the strong expression of genes related to adipose deposition, some key genes related to muscle development, including myogenic factor 6 (AY188502.1), forkhead box O1 (NM_214014.1) [67], [68], γ-sarcoglycan (CK456888) [69], [70], myosin regulatory light chain interacting protein (BI400288) and peripheral plasma membrane protein CASK (BI404128) [71], [72] were expressed at a lower level in Jinhua (Jinhua-down) than in Landrace pigs at d30 (Table 4). In addition, myogenic differentiation 1 (NM_001002824.1) [73], [74] was also expressed at a lower level in Jinhua than in Landrace pigs at d150. In fact, Jinhua pigs appeared to express genes that slow down muscle development at d30 and d90. For example, MyoD family inhibitor domain containing factor (BF075680) [75] and myostatin (AF188635.1) [76], [77] were expressed at a higher level in Jinhua than inLandrace pigs at d30 and d90, respectively (Table 4 and Table 5). Consequently, many genes encoding muscle components were expressed at a lower level in Jinhua pigs (Jinhua-down) throughout the developmental stages of d30-d150, including myoglobin (NM_214236.1) [78], [79], fibromodulin (CN163410) [80], β-capping protein (actin filament) muscle Z-line (BX666372) [81], [82], cardiac muscle alpha actin 1 (CO939491), fibronectin type III domain containing 1 (CF366197) and fibrinogen-like 2 (BI402879) (Table 4, Table 5, Table 6). This observation provides an explanation for the slow growth rate of Jinhua pigs.

Interestingly, some other factors which might be related to adipose deposition or muscle development were also found to be Jinhua-up, such as Kruppel-like factor 4 (BI399508) [83], [84], smooth muscle calponin 1 (NM_213878.1) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (NM_214214.1) at d30 (Table 4), Kruppel-like factor 4 (BI399508), Kruppel-like factor 9 (BG382637) [85] and calpastatin (M20160.1) [57], [86] at d90 (Table 5), and ankyrin repeat domain 2 (stretch responsive muscle) (CF179329) [87], stanniocalcin 1 (BP141278) [88], [89] and Unc-45 homolog B (CN069994) [90] at d150 (Table 6). It would be of great interest in future studies to determine how these factors contribute to the differences between Jinhua and Landrace pigs in growth rate and meat composition of the longissimus dorsi muscles.

Transcription Factors and Signaling Molecules are Differentially Expressed in the longissimus dorsi Muscles in Jinhua and Landrace Pigs

Further analysis of the differentially expressed genes led us to identify a number of known transcription factors and signaling molecules that have not previously been reported to function in the development of longissimus dorsi muscles. Among these, we found that (bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP-1), regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS2) and proenkephalin (PENK) were up-regulated whereas four and a half LIM domains 3 (FHL3), F-box protein 32 (FBXO32) and a gene similar to CCAAT/enhancer-binding delta protein (LOC100153946) were down-regulated in Jinhua pigs at 30d (Table 7). Transcription regulators SWI/SNF related, matrix associated, actin dependent regulator of chromatin member 5 (SMARCA5), a gene similar to T-box 3 protein (LOC100152741) and growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible alpha (GADD45A) were up-regulated while selenoprotein X 1 (SEPX1), homeobox protein A10 (HOXD10A) and DNA cytosine-5-methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A) were down-regulated in Jinhua pigs at d90 (Table 8). Interestingly, we noted that BMP2 and BMP receptor type 1B (BMPR1B) which mediate BMP signaling were up-regulated while secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) and dickkopf homolog 3 (DKK3) which mediate Wnt signaling were down-regulated at d150 (Table 9), suggesting that key developmental signaling pathways are differentially mobilized in Jinhua and Landrace pigs. It will be of our great interest in the future to study how these transcription factors and signaling molecules control/regulate the distinct developmental events in Jinhua and Landrace pigs.

Table 7

List of genes encoding transcription factors and signaling molecules differentially expressed in longissimus dorsi muscle in Jinhua and Landrace pigs at d30.

Probe ID	Gene ID	Gene Name	Gene Symbol	J/L Z score
Regulatory factors (Jinhua- up)
Ssc.16679.1.S1_at	BF079341	Similar to Bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP-1)	LOC100156461	2.44
Ssc.3139.1.A1_at	CK456262	Regulator of G-protein signaling 2, 24kDa	RGS2	2.63
Ssc.11281.1.A1_at	BI181438	proenkephalin	PENK	2.19
Ssc.396.1.S1_a_at	NM_214119.1	diazepam binding inhibitor (GABA receptor modulator, acyl-Coenzyme A binding protein)	DBI	2.59
Ssc.9707.1.A1_at	BX666261	BTG family, member 2	BTG2	2.32
Regulatory factors (Jinhua- down)
Ssc.27892.2.S1_at	BX916748	Zinc finger, AN1-type domain 5	ZFAND5	−2.06
Ssc.7980.2.A1_at	BQ599924	similar to Zinc finger protein 22	LOC100156567	−2.10
Ssc.29341.1.A1_at	CO954104	similar to F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 4	LOC100156082	−2.65
Ssc.23226.1.S1_at	CK452343	similar to E2F-associated phosphoprotein	LOC100153549	−2.14
Ssc.10025.3.S1_at	BI118416	similar to CCAAT/enhancer-binding delta protein	LOC100153946	−2.38
Ssc.22958.1.S1_a_at	CK457158	Similar to BTB (POZ) domain containing 1	LOC100154013	−2.55
Ssc.3931.1.S1_at	NM_213946.1	four and a half LIM domains 3	FHL3	−2.18
Ssc.4368.3.S1_at	BP463181	F-box protein 32	FBXO32	−4.87

Table 8

List of genes encoding transcription factors and signaling molecules differentially expressed in longissimus dorsi muscle in Jinhua and Landrace pigs at d90.

Probe ID	Gene ID	Gene Name	Gene Symbol	J/L Z score
Regulatory factors (Jinhua- up)
Ssc.10918.1.A1_at	CK464481	TP53RK binding protein	TPRKB	2.02
Ssc.12878.1.S1_at	CB287966	SWI/SNF related, matrix associated, actin dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily a, member 5	SMARCA5	2.68
Ssc.1913.1.A1_at	CN163609	slowmo homolog	CH242-247L10.6	2.40
Ssc.6578.1.S1_at	BI467852	similar to T-box 3 protein	LOC100152741	2.11
Ssc.26039.1.S1_at	BX926726	similar to RAR-related orphan receptor A	LOC100156637	2.00
Ssc.3654.1.A1_at	CK463456	membrane-associated ring finger (C3HC4) 6	6-Mar	2.45
Ssc.20913.1.S1_at	CN161066	growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible, alpha	GADD45A	2.37
Ssc.4368.3.S1_at	BP463181	F-box protein 32	FBXO32	2.34
Regulatory factors (Jinhua- down)
Ssc.15738.1.S1_at	CF176266	similar to Transmembrane emp24 domain-containing protein 3 precursor (Membrane protein p24B)	LOC100152423	−2.30
Ssc.1303.1.S1_at	CK455870	similar to Leukocyte elastase inhibitor (LEI) (Serpin B1) (LNPI)	LOC100155145	−2.25
Ssc.3004.2.S1_at	BI182015	similar to Chromosome 9 open reading frame 16	LOC100152322	−2.21
Ssc.5520.1.S1_at	CK462523	Selenoprotein X, 1	SEPX1	−3.08
Ssc.101.1.S1_at	NM_214023.1	secreted phosphoprotein 1	SPP1	−2.66
Ssc.26254.1.S1_at	BX926970	Homeobox protein A10	HOXD10A	−2.73
Ssc.1704.1.S1_at	BX915676	alpha DNA (cytosine-5-) -methyltransferase 3	DNMT3A	−2.05

Table 9

List of genes encoding transcription factors and signaling molecules differentially expressed in longissimus dorsi muscle in Jinhua and Landrace pigs at d90.

Probe ID	Gene ID	Gene Name	Gene Symbol	J/L Z score
Transcriptors_(Jinhua- up)
Ssc.810.1.S1_at	AY550058.1	scavenger receptor class B member 2	Scarb2	2.52
Ssc.11352.1.A1_at	BI185713	karyopherin alpha 7 (importin alpha 8)	KPNA7	2.35
Ssc.15865.1.A1_at	AY010069.2	karyopherin alpha 3 (importin alpha 4)	KPNA3	2.49
Ssc.20913.1.S1_at	CN161066	growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible, alpha	GADD45A	3.07
Ssc.66.1.S3_at	CO950299	bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type IB	BMPR1B	2.10
Ssc.4190.1.S1_at	CA779719	bone morphogenetic protein 2	BMP2	2.19
Transcriptors_(Jinhua- down)
Ssc.10160.1.A1_at	BG609515	transcription factor AP-2 gamma (activating enhancer binding protein 2 gamma)	CH242-255C19.1	-2.44
Ssc.1020.1.S1_at	AJ583828.1	toll-like receptor 1	TLR1	−2.04
Ssc.10245.2.A1_a_at	CN163698	tissue factor pathway inhibitor	LOC100155068	−2.47
Ssc.10822.1.S1_at	CK455045	Similar to tumor suppressor candidate 3	LOC100156093	−2.68
Ssc.11131.1.S1_at	CF795993	similar to Sushi repeat-containing protein SRPX	LOC100156108	−3.67
Ssc.11310.2.A1_at	BQ600663	similar to pleckstrin 2	LOC100154251	−2.19
Ssc.11559.2.A1_at	CN032097	similar to PDZ and LIM domain 2	LOC100152859	−2.14
Ssc.11618.2.S1_at	BE235724	similar to neuritin	LOC100154738	−6.44
Ssc.11862.1.A1_at	BP150958	similar to KLC4 protein	LOC100157157	−2.37
Ssc.12963.1.S2_at	CK457158	Similar to BTB (POZ) domain containing 1	LOC100154013	−2.50
Ssc.13079.2.S1_at	CB286263	similar to Baiap2l2 protein	LOC100154063	−2.15
Ssc.140.1.S1_at	BG382598	secreted frizzled-related protein 4	SFRP4	−3.55
Ssc.17141.1.A1_at	CO949346	dickkopf homolog 3	DKK3	−2.15
Ssc.18231.2.S1_at	BI399410	AXL receptor tyrosine kinase	AXL	−2.78
Ssc.1850.1.A1_at	CO938780	angiopoietin-like 2	ANGPTL2	−3.22

pFLJ Encodes a Novel Protein and is Highly Expressed in the longissimus dorsi Muscle of Jinhua Pigs at d90

The microarray data allowed us to search for novel genes involved in the adipogenesis process in muscles. We noted that one unknown gene corresponding to an expressed sequence tag (EST) with accession number BI184304 was expressed at a much higher level in Jinhua than in Landrace at d90. We cloned the full length cDNA corresponding to BI184304 through 5′- and 3′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE; data not shown) and found that this gene encodes a previously uncharacterized protein named FLJ in humans [91]. A database search revealed that FLJ is highly conserved among different species and pig FLJ (pFLJ) shares 93%, 83%, 92% and 92% homology with human, mouse, chimpanzee and rhesus monkey FLJ, respectively (Figure 4A).

Figure 4

pFLJ encodes a novel protein and is highly expressed in longissimus dorsi muscle in Jinhua pigs at d90.

(A) Alignment of amino acid sequences of FLJ homologues from pig (XP_003130310), chimpanzee (XP_001162764), human, rhesus monkey and mouse using the CLUSTAL X programme. (B and C) qPCR analysis of pFLJ expression in different organs/tissues (B) or in longissimus dorsi muscles in Jinhua at different stages as shown (C). The qPCR values are shown as expression fold changes after normalization against the control 18s rRNA. Data are presented as means ± standard error. Gene ID was as shown. ab means every two columns with different letters are significantly different (P<0.05).

qPCR was performed to examine the expression of pFLJ in different organs/tissues in Jinhua pigs. Our results showed that pFLJ is expressed at high levels in the brain, kidney, longissimus dorsi muscle and subcutaneous fatty tissue (SF) but at a much lower level in the heart, liver, spleen and lung, demonstrating that pFLJ is differentially expressed in pigs (Figure 4B). We then examined the expression of pFLJ in the longissimus dorsi muscles in Jinhua pigs at d30, d60, d90 and d120. Our results showed that the transcript levels of pFLJ sharply increased from d30 to d90, peaked at d90 and then decreased to a lower level at d120 (Figure 4C), thus pFLJ exhibits a dynamic expression pattern during skeletal muscle development.

pFLJ is a Positive Regulator of Fat Deposition in Intramuscular Adipocytes

Because its expression levels and its dynamic expression pattern in the longissimus dorsi muscle differ between Jinhua and Landrace pigs, we wondered whether pFLJ might be involved in the process of adipogenesis. To address this question, we first established a protocol to culture intramuscular adipocyte precursor cells in vitro. These cells could be successfully induced to differentiate into adipocytes at 4 days, as judged easily by Oil Red staining (data not shown). qPCR revealed that pFLJ was expressed at a higher level in the differentiated adipocytes (data not shown). SR141716 (rimonabant, an antagonist of cannabinoid receptor 1 of mammals and commonly used as an inhibitor for fat deposition) was added to the cultured intramuscular adipocytes and the expression of pFLJ and fat contents were determined at 24- and 48-hour after treatment, respectively. Our data showed that SR14716 significantly down-regulated the transcript levels of pFLJ (Figure 5A) and fat deposition (Figure 5B) 48 hours after treatment.

Figure 5

SR141716 down-regulates pFLJ expression and inhibits fat deposition in cultured intramuscular adipocytes.

(A and B) qPCR analysis of pFLJ expression (A) and measurement of total triglyceride (B) in cultured adipocytes 24 and 48 hours after SR141716 treatment. The qPCR values are shown as expression fold changes after normalization against the control 18s rRNA. Data are presented as means ± standard error. Gene ID was as shown. Cells were stained with Oil-Red O to determine lipid accumulation (total triglyceride). *: P<0.05, **: P<0.01.

The above data suggest a probable role of pFLJ in fat deposition. To test this supposition, three siRNAs (fs1, fs2, fs3) were designed to targets the pFLJ transcript specifically. qPCR showed that these three siRNAs efficiently knocked down the transcript levels of pFLJ in cultured intramuscular adipocytes (Figure 6A), with fs1 showing the strongest effect at 36 hours after treatment (Figure 6B). These cultured cells were treated with pFLJ siRNA sf1 and control siRNA NS and the contents of total triglyceride (fat) in the treated cells and free glycerol in the culture medium 36 hours after treatment were measured. We found that the total triglyceride level was significantly down-regulated (Figure 6D), which in turn resulted in an elevation in free glycerol levels in the medium (Figure 6E). We then examined the transcript levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) in the siRNA treated cells. FAS and ACC encode two key enzymes for the synthesis of fat while ATGL and HSL gene products are responsible for the hydrolysis of fat. We found that transcript levels of all four genes were significantly down-regulated (Figure 6C). We therefore concluded that pFLJ is a positive regulator of fat deposition in cultured intramuscular adipocytes, probably by regulating the expression of genes that are essential for fat biosynthesis.

Figure 6

pFLJ functions as a positive regulator of fat deposition in intramuscular adipocytes.

(A) Cell images to verify transfection efficiency. Cells were transfected with pSilencer TM 4.1-CMV neo plasmids carrying the sequences fs1, fs2 and fs3. Transfection efficiency was assessed by expression of the reporter gene EGFP (green color) harbored by the plasmid. (B) qPCR analysis of pFLJ expression in cultured adipocytes 24 hours after siRNA treatment. fs1, fs2 and fs3: pFLJ specific siRNAs; ns: negative control siRNA. (C) qPCR analysis of FAS, ACC, ATGL and HSL in cultured adipocytes treated with fs1 siRNA. The qPCR values are shown as expression fold changes after normalization against the control 18s rRNA. Data are presented as means ± standard error. *: P<0.05, **: P<0.01 (C and D) Measurement of total triglyceride (as before) in the cultured adipocytes or free glycerol (the free glycerol release was normalized to total cellular protein and expressed relative to the control group) in the culture medium 36 hours after treatment with fs1 siRNA. ab means every two columns with different letters are significantly different (P<0.05).

Conclusion

In summary, our results revealed that genes that regulate adipogenesis and myogenesis are differentially expressed in Jinhua and Landrace pigs, with Jinhua pigs expressing higher levels of adipogenesis genes and Landrace expressing higher levels of myogenesis genes. More importantly, from the microarray data, a novel gene, pFLJ, was identified as a positive factor in the regulation of fat deposition in intramuscular adipocytes. pFLJ exhibited dynamic spatial and temporal expression patterns in Jinhua pigs, with high expression in the muscle at d90. Down-regulation of pFLJ by either drug treatment or siRNA-mediated gene knockdown reduced fat deposition concomitantly with the down-regulation of genes responsible for fat biosynthesis. This observation strongly suggests that up-regulation of pFLJ together with other factors (e.g myostatin, a myogenesis inhibitory gene) in the longissimus dorsi muscles of Jinhua pigs might play a key role in determining their high rate of IMF. Future efforts will be needed to determine the functional mechanism of pFLJ in this process. Therefore, transcriptomes for adipogenesis and myogenesis in the longissimus dorsi muscles are mobilized differentially in Jinhua and Landrace pig to produce meats with different ratios of muscle fiber to intracellular fat.

Materials and Methods

Ethics Statement

This study did not involve non-human primates. All experiments described in the study were performed in full accordance with the guidelines for animal experiments released by the National Institute of Animal Health with a permit (License No: GB/T 14925-94).

Animals

Sixty six castrated Jinhua (Jinhua II breed) and Landrace (Danish breed) pigs were raised and had ad libitum access to commercial diets (nutrients levels according to the NRC) under similar conditions during the whole experimental period. Nine individual pigs from each breed at each stages (d30, d90 and d150) and three individuals per breed at each stages (d60 and d120) were slaughtered. The longissimus dorsi muscles at the last rib were collected after exsanguinations and were subsequently divided into four portions for use in the measurement of intramuscular fat, determination of meat color, determination of pH values, and isolation of total RNA. For RNA extraction, the excised samples were directly frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80°C until use.

Determination of Meat Quality

At each stage (d30, d60, d90, d120 and d150), experimental pigs were individually weighed and average bodyweights of all pigs of each breed at each stage were obtained. The BFT value was averaged from the fat thickness values measured on the first rib, last rib and the last lumbar vertebrae for each individual pig using a sliding caliper (Messschieber 0–150 mm mit Momentfeststellung Nonius 1/20 mm, Wollschlaeger). The FMR or LMR were calculated as the ratio of weight of fat meat or lean meat to the total weight of fat meat, lean meat, skin and bone of the left ham. LMA was determined by tracing its surface area at the 10th rib and calculating the area using a planimeter (Planix 5.6, Tamya Digital Planimeter, Tamaya Tecnics Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Approximately 100 g samples of longissimus dorsi muscle were used to determine IMF content using petroleum ether extraction 24 hours after slaughter [92]. One gram of muscle was collected to determine the pH45 value. The pH45 of the left ham was measured in the center of the longissimus dorsi muscle using a portable needle-tipped combination electrode (NWK binar pH-K21, CE, Germany). Color was recorded on three 10 mm diameter spots from each longissimus dorsi muscle eye rib surface within 2 hours following loin slicing. Indicators of lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) were recorded in triplicates by a Minolta chromameter (CR-300, Minolta Camera Co., Japan) on a freshly cut surface 45 minutes postmortem, and the average value of the three spots was used.

Extraction of RNA Samples from Muscles for Microarray Hybridization

Approximately 100 mg of frozen muscle tissues were homogenized in liquid nitrogen using a mortar and pestle under RNase-free conditions. Total RNA was extracted from the samples with Trizol-Phenol reagent (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturer’s protocols. Residue DNA was removed with DNaseI (37°C, 30 mins) followed by purification of total RNA with RNeasy Mini kit (Qiagen). RNA was quantified using NanoDrop ND-1000 spectrophotometer (NanoDrop Technologies) at 260 and 280 nm and the integrity of RNA was determined by denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis. The quality of total RNA was further assessed using an Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100 (Agilent Technologies) based on the RNA integrity number (RIN) value. All samples used for microarray analyses had an RIN value above 8.

Microarray Hybridization

Total RNA from a total of 54 pigs at d30, d90 and d150 of age stage (nine pigs for each breed at each stage) was extracted. RNA samples from three pigs of the same breed at the same age stage were pooled as one sample for one gene-chip hybridization. Microarray data from three samples for each breed at each stage were obtained for data analysis. A total of 18 microarrays were used in the experiment, corresponding to the 18 pooled RNA samples from longissimus dorsi muscles. The GeneChip Porcine Genome Array (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA) contains 23937 probes sets interrogating 23256 transcripts, representing 20201 genes. RNA labeling and Affymetrix Gene Chip microarray hybridization were conducted according to the Affymetrix Expression Analysis Technical Manual. Array scanning and data extraction were carried out following procedures recommended by Affymetrix.

Microarray Data Analysis

To quantify the intensities from the same probe sets on different arrays, these were scaled so that the median intensities for all arrays were the same. We then calculated the average intensity for each probe in all replicate arrays and this mean intensity was used for downstream analysis. When comparing gene expression between different breeds at the same time-point and in the same tissue, Lowess intensity dependent normalization was performed for each array pair. Z-scores were then calculated as described previously [93] and Z-scores ≥2 or ≤2 was used as the cut-off value for selection of up- or down-regulated genes. Hierarchical and K-means clustering of differentially expressed genes was done using Cluster 2.10 and viewed in TreeView 1.50 from Eisen Lab (http://rana.lbl.gov/EisenSoftware.htm).

qPCR

Primer sequences, melting temperatures and expected product sizes for the genes analyzed are shown in Additional file 15 (Table S15). The sizes of the PCR products were confirmed using agarose gel electrophoresis (1.8%). The specificity of the PCR products was judged based on a single peak observed in dissociation/melting curves. All RNA samples prepared for gene-chip hybridization were also used in qPCR. qPCR was performed using SYBR green I nucleic acid dye on an BIO-RAD CFX96 Real-Time PCR System (BIO-RAD, Foster City, CA, USA) to quantify the target genes expression levels. Data are expressed as the ratio between expression of the target gene and that of the housekeeping gene 18s rRNA. All qPCR reactions followed this thermal profile: after an initial denaturation at 94°C for 2 minutes, amplification was performed with 40 cycles of 94°C for 30s and annealing for 40 s at temperatures specific for each target genes. For each sample, reactions were set up in triplicate to ensure the reproducibility of the results. At the end of the PCR run, melting curves were generated and analyzed to confirm non-specific amplification, and the mean value of each triplicate was used for further calculations. To calculate the mRNA expression of selective genes, the ΔCt values was used for detection of their mRNA related to internal control 18s rRNA expression using the 2−△△Ct method [94].

Cloning of the pFLJ Gene

To obtain the full-length cDNA sequence of pFLJ, RACE technology was carried out to clone the 5′-ends of pFLJ by using the SMARTTM RACE cDNA Amplification Kit and GeneRacer Kit (Invitrogen Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China). Briefly, for 5′-RACE, 5′ phosphates and the 5′ cap structure were removed from the total RNA from porcine tissues, the GeneRacer RNA Oligo sequence (5′-CGACUGGAGCACGAGGACACUGACAUGGACUGAAGGAGUAGAAA-3′) to the 5′ end of the prepared mRNA was ligated and the 5′ RACE cDNA template was then obtained by reverse-transcribing the ligated mRNA according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Four steps were required to obtain the full length of pFLJ36031 cDNA. The first reaction of PCR was performed using a combination of sm-FLG-R1 (5′-GCCACCAATGACCAAAGGCACTTGGATAA-3′) and 10*UPM using the 5′ RACE cDNA template. The PCR condition was as follows: 94°C for 2 min, 5 cycles of 94°C for 30 s and 72°C for 1.5 min, 5 cycles of 94°C for 30 s and 70°C for 1.5 min, 25 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, 65°C for 30 s and 68°C 3.0 min. Then the product was further identified using another primer (sm-FLG-R2∶5′-GCCTGATCAACGATTCCTGTGGTCTTCA-3′) that is located on the downstream of sm-FLG-R1. The PCR condition used was: 94°C 2 min, 30 cycles: 94°C 30 s 66°C 30 s and 68°C 1.5 min. The gene-specific primer sm-FLG-R1 was designed based on the pFLJ EST available in GenBank. The resulting PCR product obtained from this step was isolated, cloned, and sequenced. The three subsequent 5′-RACE products were gel-purified, cloned, and sequenced. By ligation of the four overlapping cDNA fragments, full-length pFLJ cDNA was obtained. Primer pairs used for qPCR were: sense: 5′-cca cct ttc cca cca ttc g-3′; antisense: 5′-agc ctc acc acg ggt tcc ag-3′.

siRNAs Targeting pFLJ

Three potential siRNA target sites in pFLJ (FS1∶5′-aactgtcgctggccgacagca-3′; FS2∶5′-aagctgttcatgccccgcagc-3′. FS3∶5′-aaggacgtctacggctactcc-3′) were determined using the Qiagen siRNA design programme, and the sequence was BLAST-confirmed for specificity. Oligonucleotides to produce plasmid-based siRNA were cloned into pSilencer TM 4.1-CMV neo plasmid (Ambion) and all constructs were confirmed by sequencing. For RNA interference experiments, porcine intramuscular adipocytes were transfected with empty plasmid (wt), negative control siRNA (ns), or pFLJ-siRNA (fs1, fs2 and fs3). Transfections were performed using Lipofectamine™ 2000 (Invitrogen Life Technologies) according to the manufacturer’s protocol. A final concentration of 2000 ng/ml siRNA was used to treat the cultured intramuscular adipocytes. Negative control siRNA (Neg-siRNA, ns, 5′-acatgtgcgcagccacagctg-3′) was supplied by Ambion.

In vitro Culture of Intramuscular Adipocyte Precursor Cells and Induction of Adipocytes

For in vitro culture of intramuscular adipocyte precursor cells, D (Duroc) ×L (Landrace)×Y (Yorkshire) pigs from d5 to d7 of age were overdosed with sodium thiopental and exsanguinated. The longissimus dorsi muscle was removed and porcine pre-adipocytes were prepared by previously published methods [95], [96]. Briefly, longissimus dorsi muscle tissue was cut with scissors into approximately1 mm sections under sterile condition and digested with collagenase type II for 45 hours, at 37°C in a 120r/min shaking water bath. The digested material collected was first centrifuged at100 g for1 min, and the resulting floating adipocytes were collected in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) at 37°C. The number of intramuscular pre-adipocytes isolated in suspension was determined as described previously. The preadipocytes were seeded on six-well (35-mm) tissue culture plates in complete media (DMEM/F12+10% fetal bovine serum (FBS)+100 Upenicillin+100 Ustreptomycin) and cultured at 37°C under a humidified atmosphere of 95% air and 5% carbon dioxide according to previous study [42].

Intramuscular preadipocytes were induced to differentiate into intramuscular adipocytes when the cells were completely fused and were then treated with a final concentration of 0.5 mmol/L 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), 1µmol/L dexamethasone (DEX) and 1.7µmol/L insulin of complete medium. The culture medium was changed to complete medium containing a final concentration of 10 mg/L insulin after 48 hours.

Statistical Analysis

All experimental data of comparisons between two pig breeds were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA, Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) 16.0). Data are represented as means±standard error; *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 displayed here indicate statistically significant difference.

177 genes upregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of jinhua pig at d90 compared with that at d30 age stage (Jinhua-d90-LD-up vs d30).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

242 genes downregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of jinhua pig at d90 compared with that at d30 age stage (Jinhua-d90-LD-down vs d30).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

101 genes upregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of jinhua pig at d150 compared with that at d30 age stage (Jinhua-d150-LD-up vs d30).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

389 genes downregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of jinhua pig at d150 compared with that at d30 age stage (Jinhua-d150-LD-down vs d30).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

106 genes upregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of Landrace at d90 compared with that at d30 age stage (Landrace-d90-LD-up vs d30).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

231 genes downregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of Landrace at d90 compared with that at d30 age stage (Landrace-d90-LD-down vs d30).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

93 genes upregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of Landrace at d150 compared with that at d30 age stage (Landrace-d150-LD-up vs d30).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

383 genes downregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of Landrace at d150 compared with that at d30 age stage (Landrace-d150-LD-down vs d30).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

176 genes upregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of Jinhua pig versus Landrace at d30 of age stage (Jinhua-d30-LD-up).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

276 genes upregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of Jinhua pig versus Landrace at d90 of age stage (Jinhua-d90-LD-up).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

525 genes upregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of Jinhua pig versus Landrace at d150 of age stage (Jinhua-d150-LD-up).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

199 genes downregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of Jinhua pig versus Landrace at d30 of age stage (Jinhua-d30-LD-down).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

155 genes downregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of Jinhua pig versus Landrace at d90 of age stage (Jinhua-d90-LD-down).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

670 genes downregulated in longissium dorsi muscles of Jinhua pig versus Landrace at d150 of age stage (Jinhua-d150-LD-down).

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.

Primer sequences.

(XLS)

Click here for additional data file.