The cloning, characterization, and expression profiling of the LRP8 gene in duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8) is a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene family that functions in body lipoprotein homeostasis. In this study, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, rapid amplification of cDNA ends, and real-time PCR were performed to characterize the duck LRP8 gene. The cDNA of duck LRP8 contained a 14-bp 5' UTR, a 2754-bp open reading frame, and a 189-bp 3' UTR. The duck LRP8 encoded a protein of 917 amino acid residues composed of five functional domains and resembling other members of the LDLR family, and it displayed high nucleotide and amino acid homology to the LRP8 sequences in other avian species. The mRNA expression level of LRP8 was greater in duck extra-hepatic adipose tissue than in the liver. The peak expression values of LRP8 in both liver and adipose tissues occurred at week 1 and were significantly higher than the values observed during any other week (p < 0.05). Differences in the expression patterns of LRP8 mRNA from weeks 2 to 8 of growth were observed in different organs. A consistent low expression was observed in the liver, and fluctuating expression was observed in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (up- and then down-regulated) and abdominal adipose tissue (down-, then up-, then down-regulated). These findings suggest that LRP8 might play more important roles in regulating lipid metabolism in extra-hepatic adipose tissues than in the liver during early growth after hatching in the duck.