Differential expression of FUT1 and FUT2 in Large White, Meishan, and Sutai porcine breeds

To assess the relationship between the expression of a(1,2)-fucosyltransferase (FUT1 and FUT2) genes and resistance to Escherichia coli F18 in weaned pigs, FUT1 and FUT2 expression levels in Large White, Meishan, and Sutai pigs (with resistance to E. coli F18) were determined using real-time PCR. The results revealed that FUT1 and FUT2 expression levels were higher in the liver, lungs, kidneys, stomach, duodenum, and jejunum than in the muscle and heart. Medium FUT2 expression levels were detected in the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes. Intestinal FUT1 expression levels were higher in Sutai pigs than in Large White and Meishan pigs (P < 0.05). However, intestinal FUT2 expression levels were lower in Sutai pigs than in Large White and Meishan pigs (P < 0.05). FUT1 and FUT2 expression levels did not differ between Large White and Meishan pigs (P > 0.05). The results revealed that high FUT1 expression levels and low FUT2 expression levels in the intestines of Sutai pigs affected FUT1 and FUT2 enzymes, the synthesis of type 2 H and type 1 H antigens, and E. coli F18 adhesion. Moreover, low FUT2 expression levels conferred resistance to E. coli F18.