Gene and protein expression profiles in the foetal liver of the pregnant rat fed a low protein diet

Abstract

Foetal growth is particularly sensitive to the protein content of the mother's diet. Microarray data from the foetal liver of pregnant rats fed normal (HP) or reduced protein diets (LP) were compared by gene set enrichment analysis. Soluble proteins from a second portion of the liver were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Genes associated with progesterone, insulin-like growth factor-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor were upregulated in HP compared to LP, in addition to genes associated with cell differentiation and signalling from the extracellular matrix. In contrast, cytokine signalling was downregulated. Proteomics showed that proteins associated with amino acid metabolism, mitochondrial function and cell motility were differentially abundant in the HP compared to the LP groups. These growth factor and extracellular matrix signalling pathways linked to cell motility may be important mediators of the changes in liver structure that occur in utero and persist into adult life.

Influence of maternal low protein diet during pregnancy on hepatic gene expression signature in juvenile female porcine offspring

“…During early postnatal life organisms usually showed enhanced peripheral insulin sensitivity that was associated with adult insulin resistance . Our data display the transcriptome of pre‐pubertal female F1 pigs at an early time point in life and in contrast to previous studies indicated that species, sex and age as well the extent and type of the dietary inadequacy determine the phenotypic, metabolic and genomic alterations induced by maternal malnutrition . Two recent studies have examined the effect of a protein restricted diet during pregnancy on the liver transcriptome of adult male rat offspring and newborn mice, respectively .…”

“…Here, mitochondrial genes, in particular genes involved in energy metabolism such as amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation were affected . In rat fetal liver collected from pregnant rat dams fed a low protein diet 154 genes were upregulated and 15 downregulated when compared to the control group . Genes associated with insulin‐like growth factor‐1 and vascular endothelial growth factor was downregulated in LP fetal livers whereas genes relating to cytokine signalling were upregulated.…”

High‐ and low‐protein gestation diets do not provoke common transcriptional responses representing universal target‐pathways in muscle and liver of porcine progeny

“…), the transcriptional responses in LP muscle might reflect mitochondrial differences, as was previously shown in response to poor protein supply in utero (McNeil et al . , Theys et al . ).…”

“…This relationship, known as the 'thrifty phenotype hypothesis' (Hales & Barker 1992), is supported by evidence from both epidemiological studies and animal models. Indeed, studies from rats (Bol et al 2009, McNeil et al 2009), mice (Mortensen et al 2010, Vanselow et al 2011, Watkins et al 2011, sheep (Hyatt et al 2011, Whorwood et al 2001, cattle (Du et al 2005, Micke et al 2011 and pigs (Oster et al 2011, Theil et al 2011 demonstrate that prenatal environmental conditions alter gene expression via unknown diet-specific mechanisms.…”

Nutrigenómica: Revelando Los Aspectos Moleculares De Una Nutrición Personalizada

“…Existe una expresión diferencial de diversas proteínas según sea que la madre reciba una dieta adecuada o baja en proteínas. Así, cuando recibe una dieta adecuada se expresan más las enzimas ribonucleasa, aspartato transcarbamilasa, tioredoxina reductasa, lactato deshidrogenada y el precursor de las apolipoproteínas A, mientras que con una dieta materna baja en proteínas se expresan mayoritariamente las enzimas carnitina palmitoil transferasa I y II, glutation S transferasa, ornitina carbamoiltransferasa, aspartato transaminasa y glutamato deshidrogenada (71).…”