MCEE Promotes Intramuscular Fat Deposition in Pigs Through Regulating Mitochondrial Function

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Biochemistry
• Genetics

Background:

• Intramuscular fat (IMF) content is crucial for meat quality, affecting tenderness, juiciness, and flavor.
• The precise mechanisms regulating IMF deposition are not fully understood.
• Previous research identified MCEE as a candidate gene linked to IMF content in pigs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the MCEE gene in porcine intramuscular fat deposition.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which MCEE influences adipogenesis and meat quality.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and culture of primary porcine intramuscular preadipocytes.
• Gain- and loss-of-function studies (overexpression and knockdown) of MCEE.
• Transcriptomic analysis (RNA-Seq) and pathway enrichment analysis.
• Assessment of mitochondrial function (ROS levels, membrane potential, pore opening).

Main Results:

• MCEE overexpression promoted preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation, while MCEE knockdown inhibited these processes.
• Transcriptomic analysis revealed MCEE affects pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial function.
• MCEE was localized to mitochondria and its expression modulated mitochondrial activity, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential.

Conclusions:

• MCEE plays a significant role in regulating intramuscular fat deposition in pigs.
• MCEE influences IMF deposition by modulating mitochondrial function.
• MCEE represents a potential molecular target for enhancing meat quality in livestock.