A 280 bp SINE insertion within the pig PLA2G16 could potentially modify gene expression through integration with its...

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Molecular Biology
• Animal Science

Background:

• The Phospholipase A2 Group XVI (PLA2G16) gene plays a crucial role in lipid metabolism.
• A previously identified Short Interspersed Nuclear Element Retrotransposon Insertion Polymorphism (SINE-RIP) resides in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the PLA2G16 gene.

Purpose of the Study:

• To confirm and analyze the distribution of a 280 bp SINE insertion in the PLA2G16 gene across ten pig breeds.
• To investigate the co-transcription potential of the SINE insertion with PLA2G16.
• To evaluate the impact of the SINE insertion on PLA2G16 gene expression in a tissue-specific manner.

Main Methods:

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing were used to detect the SINE insertion and its distribution.
• Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was employed to assess co-transcription.
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was utilized to quantify PLA2G16 expression levels.

Main Results:

• Significant SINE insertion polymorphism was observed among the ten pig breeds.
• The SINE insertion was found to co-transcribe with the PLA2G16 gene.
• The SINE insertion exhibited a tissue-specific effect on PLA2G16 expression in backfat and liver.
• Homozygous SINE insertion (SINE+/+) pigs showed significantly lower PLA2G16 expression in backfat (p < 0.01) and higher expression in liver (p < 0.05) compared to SINE-/- pigs in specific breeds.

Conclusions:

• The SINE insertion in the PLA2G16 3'UTR can form a new transcript through co-transcription.
• This novel transcript may influence PLA2G16 gene expression in a tissue-specific manner, impacting lipid metabolism.
• The findings highlight the role of SINE insertions as a source of genetic variation affecting gene expression and potentially phenotypic traits in pigs.