Study of the differential transcription in liver of growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factors (IGF1, IGF2) and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) genes at different postnatal developmental ages in pig breeds

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine hepatic expression levels of GHR, IGF1R, IGF1 and IGF2 genes in young growing gilts at different developmental ages (60-210 days) in five pig breeds: Polish Large White (PLW), Polish Landrace (PL), Pulawska (Pul), Duroc (Dur) and Pietrain (Pie). We studied the differences among pig breeds as well as within each breed for pigs in different developmental ages. Obtained results revealed major differences among breeds in hepatic gene expression of porcine GHR, IGF1R, IGF1 and IGF2 genes in different developmental ages. The differences among breeds of GHR expression were significantly higher in PLW, PL at the age of 60, 90, 120 days as compared to Pul, Dur and Pie. In turn, the highest level of IGF1R expression was observed in PL at age of 150, 180 and 210 days, whereas in case of IGF1 the highest level was recorded in Pie gilts at the age of 60 and 90 days. Moreover trait associated study revealed highly significant correlations between hepatic expressions of IGF1R and IGF2 genes and carcass composition traits (P < 0.01) The results of study suggest that porcine GHR, IGF1R, IGF1 and IGF2 genes may be potential candidate genes for postnatal growth and carcass composition traits. Therefore, the implementation of the hepatic expression of GH/IGF genes into the pig breeding and gene assisted selection program in different pig breeds should be considered. However, further population wide study is needed to clarify the hepatic expression association with economic traits, such as body growth, meat quality and carcass composition traits.

Potassium diformate influences gene expression of GH/IGF-I axis and glucose homeostasis in weaning piglets

“…The level of IGF-I in blood was positively correlated with growth performance (Deng et al, 2007). Pigs that grow faster generally have a higher level of plasma IGF-I and hepatic IGF-I expression (Pierzchała et al, 2012). However, KDFtreatment did not change the plasma IGF-I level in present study, but increased ADFI, ADG and FCR in weaned piglets.…”

Comparative analysis of DNA methylome and transcriptome of skeletal muscle in lean-, obese-, and mini-type pigs

“…The methylation level of the IGF1R promoter was increased in diabetic mice compared with normal mice; this change was accompanied by a decrease in its mRNA level49. It is associated with human height traits and contributed to reduced size in dogs50; moreover, it is an important candidate gene for postnatal growth and carcass composition traits in pigs51. Genes related to body size and obesity were significantly enriched (Fisher’s exact test, p-value = 3.23e-12).…”

IGF-1 modulates gene expression of proteins involved in inflammation, cytoskeleton, and liver architecture

“…The lack of expression of the IGF-1 receptor in animals that have not received any injury seems to mean that it is a “defense mechanism,” as previous results suggested [4, 21, 35, 40, 41, 45]. Such defense mechanism allows the liver to take advantage of the beneficial actions of this hormone following injury.…”