IGF2 in livestock: boosting productivity and enhancing meat quality

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Genetics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Global demand for animal protein requires enhanced livestock productivity and meat quality.
• Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) plays a critical role in vertebrate growth, development, and metabolism.
• IGF2 influences muscle hypertrophy, fat deposition, and feed efficiency in livestock.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the biological mechanisms and genetic regulation of IGF2 in livestock.
• To explore the application of IGF2 modulation, including genome editing, for improving livestock traits.
• To address the challenges and ethical considerations associated with IGF2-targeted genetic enhancement.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing current research on IGF2.
• Analysis of genetic regulation, including intron3 polymorphisms and epigenetic factors (e.g., ZBED6).
• Evaluation of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing applications for IGF2.

Main Results:

• Regulatory mutations in IGF2 are linked to improved growth traits across various livestock species.
• CRISPR/Cas9 editing of the IGF2 locus shows potential for increasing lean meat yield.
• Challenges include off-target effects, animal welfare, and ethical debates surrounding genome editing.

Conclusions:

• IGF2 is a pivotal target for genetic enhancement to improve livestock productivity and meat quality.
• Advancing eco-efficient livestock systems requires balancing IGF2's potential with ethical standards.
• Future research should focus on refining genome-editing techniques and understanding species-specific IGF2 responses.