LncRNA IGF2AS Regulates Bovine Adipocyte Differentiation by Stabilizing the ILF3/FTO Complex and Activating PI3K/AKT...

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Animal Science
• Genetics

Background:

• Insulin-like growth factor 2 antisense (IGF2AS), a long noncoding RNA, was previously identified as crucial for bovine skeletal muscle development.
• Its expression varies during bovine preadipocyte differentiation, but its role in adipogenesis was not understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the functional role of IGF2AS in bovine adipocyte differentiation and fat deposition.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying IGF2AS-mediated regulation of adipogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were performed to assess IGF2AS effects.
• RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to analyze gene expression changes after IGF2AS silencing.
• RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays were employed to identify protein interactions.

Main Results:

• IGF2AS overexpression promoted adipogenic gene expression and fat deposition in bovine adipocytes.
• IGF2AS knockdown yielded opposite effects, decreasing fat deposition.
• Mechanistically, IGF2AS silencing led to downregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
• IGF2AS was found to physically interact with the ILF3/FTO protein complex.

Conclusions:

• IGF2AS plays a significant role in regulating bovine adipogenesis and fat deposition.
• A novel regulatory axis involving IGF2AS, ILF3/FTO, and the PI3K/AKT pathway in adipogenesis was identified.
• IGF2AS represents a potential molecular target for enhancing beef quality via precision breeding.