Common Gene Modules Identified for Chicken Adiposity by Network Construction and Comparison.

Area of Science:

• Animal Genomics
• Molecular Biology
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Excessive fat deposition in chickens negatively impacts health and economic efficiency.
• The molecular mechanisms governing adiposity in chickens are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify gene co-expression networks associated with abdominal fat content in chickens.
• To dissect the molecular underpinnings of adipose tissue growth and development.

Main Methods:

• Construction and comparison of gene co-expression networks using four transcriptome datasets from divergently selected chicken lines.
• Functional enrichment analysis and module comparison.
• Validation of specific pathways and genes (e.g., lysosome pathway, TFEB).

Main Results:

• Nine network modules linked to adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, PPAR, and insulin signaling were identified.
• Hub genes related to adipogenesis, cell cycle, inflammation, and protein synthesis were highlighted.
• Common and line-specific sub-modules for fat deposition were discovered, with TFEB and downstream genes validated in preadipocyte differentiation.

Conclusions:

• The study provides novel insights into the genetic basis of chicken adiposity.
• Findings contribute to understanding complex adiposity traits and offer potential relevance to human obesity and metabolic diseases.