Characterisation of porcine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma 1 and gamma 2: detection of breed and age differences in gene expression.

Two isoforms of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) cDNAs, gamma 1 and gamma 2, have been isolated and characterised in swine. The relative expression of the two transcripts was studied by northern blot analysis using total RNA isolated from several porcine tissues taken at three different ages (day 1, after 5 weeks and at 100 kg weight). Hybridisation were carried out with two different probes, one binding to both PPAR gamma transcripts and the other being PPAR gamma 2 specific. Strongest hybridisation signals with the PPAR gamma probe binding both variants were detected in adipose tissues and spleen at all three ages, whereas only faint or no signals were detected in other tissues. The tissue distribution pattern of PPAR gamma 1 and gamma 2 suggests a modulation of tissue distribution for the two transcripts and obvious age and breed differences in gene expression in swine.