Chicken PPARγ Undergoes Alternative Polyadenylation to Produce Five 3'UTR Isoforms with Distinct Regulatory Functions

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Gene Regulation
• Poultry Science

Background:

• Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a key posttranscriptional mechanism controlling gene expression.
• The role of APA in regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is not well understood, particularly in poultry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of APA in regulating PPARγ expression in chickens.
• To identify and characterize different PPARγ 3'UTR isoforms and their functional impact on adipogenesis and lipid metabolism.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 3'RACE to identify PPARγ 3'UTR isoforms in chickens.
• Employed RHAPA analysis for tissue-specific expression profiling.
• Conducted reporter assays to assess isoform-specific regulatory effects on mRNA abundance and translation.

Main Results:

• Identified five PPARγ 3'UTR isoforms (S1, S2, M, L1, L2) with tissue-specific expression, predominantly in broiler adipose tissue.
• Demonstrated differential regulation of mRNA abundance and translational efficiency by these isoforms, independent of mRNA stability.
• Observed modulation of endogenous PPARγ mRNA and protein levels by 3'UTR isoforms, without significant effects on PPARγ transactivation or adipogenic differentiation.

Conclusions:

• Novel insights into PPARγ regulation via alternative polyadenylation during poultry adipogenesis and lipid metabolism.
• Specific PPARγ 3'UTR isoforms differentially influence gene expression, providing a new layer of regulatory control.