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Updated: Jun 10, 2025

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Unveiling the hub genes associated with ochratoxin A-induced hepatotoxicity in broiler chickens

Xiaofeng Li1, Zhongyuan Wang1, Shujuan Wang1

  • 1College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, China.

Animal Science Journal = Nihon Chikusan Gakkaiho
|October 10, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Ochratoxin A (OTA) causes liver damage in chickens. This study identified key genes like CDK1 and DLGAP5 involved in OTA-induced hepatotoxicity, revealing crucial biological pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Animal Science
  • Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a common contaminant in food and feed, known to cause liver toxicity.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms of OTA-induced hepatotoxicity in broiler chickens remain largely unelucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify critical genes and pathways associated with OTA-induced hepatotoxicity in broiler chickens.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying OTA toxicity in avian species.

Main Methods:

  • Differential gene expression analysis of chicken embryo primary hepatocytes (CEPHs) exposed to OTA.
  • Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses were performed on differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
  • Identification of hub genes using network analysis.

Main Results:

  • 1407 DEGs were identified, with 850 upregulated and 557 downregulated in OTA-treated CEPHs.
  • Enrichment analyses highlighted involvement in signal transduction, cell division, cholesterol homeostasis, ferroptosis, and cell cycle pathways.
  • Key hub genes, including CDK1, DLGAP5, KIF2C, VCL, ITGB3, and ZYX, were identified as potentially crucial for OTA-induced liver damage.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides significant insights into the molecular mechanisms of OTA-induced hepatotoxicity in broiler chickens.
  • The identified genes and pathways offer potential targets for mitigating OTA toxicity in poultry.
Keywords:
broilergeneliverochratoxin A

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