Expression of porcine transcription factors and genes related to fatty acid metabolism in different tissues and genetic populations

Several transcription factors are involved in regulating lipid metabolism in various tissues of animals. Adipocyte determination and differentiation-dependent factor 1 (ADD1), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha), and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) regulate both lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. We determined the tissue distribution and genetic difference in mRNA concentrations of these transcription factors in two genetic populations of pigs (Newsham XL-sired Newsham Landrace x Large White Duroc and Duroc-sired US Yorkshire x Duroc-Landrace). We also determined the tissue distribution and genetic difference in the mRNA concentration of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO). Our data showed that ADD1 was highly expressed in adipose tissue and liver and that mRNA concentrations of ADD1 were similar between the two genotypes. The PPAR alpha mRNA concentration was high in adipose tissue and was similar between the two genotypes. In both populations, PPAR gamma mRNA was detected only in adipose tissue. There was no difference between the two genotypes in PPAR gamma mRNA concentration. The ACO mRNA was expressed in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver with no difference between genotypes. The FAS mRNA concentration in adipose tissue was seven times higher than that in the liver. There was no detectable FAS mRNA in skeletal muscle. These data support the concept that pig adipose tissue has considerable capability for fatty acid oxidation and synthesis. The uniqueness of expression patterns for FAS and ADD1 mRNA further indicates that adipose tissue is significantly involved in fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis in pigs.