Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
07:07
Isolating Brown Adipocytes from Murine Interscapular Brown Adipose Tissue for Gene and Protein Expression Analysis
Published on: March 12, 2021
Gene expression profiling in developing pig adipose tissue: non-secreted regulatory proteins
G J Hausman1, C R Barb, R G Dean
11USDA-ARS, Russell Agricultural Research Center, Athens, GA 30604, USA.
Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience
|March 24, 2012
Summary
This study investigated gene expression in pig adipose tissue, revealing differences between outer and middle subcutaneous depots. Key regulatory genes were identified, with some expression levels changing with age and influencing leptin gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Gene Expression Analysis
- Adipose Tissue Biology
Background:
- Limited research exists on gene expression in growing pig adipose tissue compared to human and rodent models.
- Understanding gene expression is crucial for optimizing growth and reproductive traits in pigs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize gene expression profiles in outer subcutaneous (OSQ) and middle subcutaneous (MSQ) adipose tissue from growing pigs.
- To identify genes differentially expressed between adipose depots and with age.
- To explore the relationship between regulatory gene expression and leptin gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Total RNA was extracted from OSQ and MSQ adipose tissue of gilts at 90, 150, and 210 days of age.
- Custom microarrays targeting approximately 600 pig genes were used for gene expression analysis.
- Simple linear regression was employed to assess associations between gene expression levels.
Main Results:
- Gene expression intensity ratios showed minimal changes with age for many regulatory proteins in both depots.
- Thirteen genes were identified as differentially expressed between OSQ and MSQ adipose depots.
- Expression of CCND3, HSF1, and PTGR1 increased with age in MSQ, while UCP2 and REA (prohibitin-2) decreased in OSQ.
- Leptin gene expression was associated with several regulatory genes, with negative correlations suggesting leptin may antagonize adipogenesis.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of key regulatory gene expression in pig adipose tissue.
- Depot-specific and age-influenced gene expression patterns were identified in growing pigs.
- Local leptin signaling may play a role in regulating adipogenesis in pig adipose tissue.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:42What is Gene Expression?
Overview
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
01:36What is Gene Expression?
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is comprised of nucleotides and proteins are comprised of amino acids, a mediator is required to convert the information encoded in DNA into proteins. This mediator is the messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA copies the blueprint from DNA by a process called transcription. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus by complementary base-pairing with the DNA template. The mRNA is then processed and...
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
02:24Ribosome Profiling
Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...