Transcriptional insights into key genes and pathways controlling muscle lipid metabolism in broiler chickens

BackgroundIntramuscular fat (IMF) is one of the most important factors positively associated with meat quality. Triglycerides (TGs), as the main component of IMF, play an essential role in muscle lipid metabolism. This transcriptome analysis of pectoralis muscle tissue aimed to identify functional genes and biological pathways likely contributing to the extreme differences in the TG content of broiler chickens.ResultsThe study included Jingxing-Huang broilers that were significantly different in TG content (5.81 mg/g and 2.26 mg/g,p ADIPOQ,CD36,FABP4,FABP5, LPL,SCD,PLIN1,CIDECandPPARG, as well as genes related to steroid biosynthesis (DHCR24,LSS,MSMO1,NSDHLandCH25H). Additionally, key pathways related to lipid storage and metabolism (the steroid biosynthesis and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway) may be the key pathways regulating differential lipid deposition between HTG group and LTG group.ConclusionsThis study showed that increased TG deposition accompanying an increase in steroid synthesis in pectoralis muscle tissue. Our findings of changes in gene expression of steroid biosynthesis and PPAR signaling pathway in HTG and LTG chickens provide insight into genetic mechanisms involved in different lipid deposition patterns in pectoralis muscle tissue.