Retinoic acids change gene expression profiles of bovine intramuscular adipocyte differentiation, based on microarray...

Beef marbling is caused by intramuscular deposition and it is an economically important trait in the beef industry. Vitamin A (VA) is an important feed supplement for cattle, but it can hinder marbling if provided in excess. In cattle, VA forms various derivatives such as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA). Therefore, we investigated the genes involved in bovine intramuscular adipogenesis after VA treatment with ATRA and 9cRA. Differential gene expression levels were validated by microarray analysis in a clonal bovine intramuscular preadipocyte (BIP) cell line derived from the intramuscular adipose tissue of Japanese Black cattle. BIP cells were harvested 6 days after adipogenic stimulation with either 1 μmol/L ATRA, 1 μmol/L 9cRA or non-retinoic acid control. The ATRA- and 9cRA-treated cells exhibited reduced transcription of genes involved in the circulatory system and muscle development compared with the no retinoic acid (RA) treatment. In addition, the ATRA- and 9cRA-treated cells exhibited increased transcription of genes involved in the immune system, protein kinase B signaling and responses to various stimuli. These results demonstrate the lower expression of muscle development in ATRA- and 9cRA-treated BIP cells during adipogenesis.