The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) gene encodes the prohormone convertase 1/3 enzyme that processes prohormones into functional hormones that, in turn, regulate central and peripheral energy metabolism. Rare and common mutations in the human PCSK1 gene cause severe monogenic or confer risk of obesity. We herein investigated the porcine PCSK1 gene with the aim to identify polymorphisms associated with fat deposition and production traits in Italian heavy pigs. By resequencing about 5.1 kb of this gene in 21 pigs of different breeds we discovered 14 polymorphisms that were organized in 9 haplotypes, clearly distributed in two clades of putative European and Asian origin. Then we re-mapped this gene on porcine chromosome 2 and analysed its expression in several tissues including gastric oxyntic mucosa of weanling pigs in which PCSK1 processes the pre-pro-ghrelin into ghrelin, that in turn is involved in the control of feed intake and energy metabolism. Association analyses between PCSK1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and production, carcass and several other traits were conducted on five groups of pigs from three different experimental designs, for a total of 1221 animals. Results indicated that the analysed SNPs were associated (P<0.01 or P<0.05) with several traits including back fat thickness and visible intermuscular fat in Italian Duroc (ID) and growth performances in Italian Large White (ILW) and in ILW x Italian Landrace pigs. However, the effects estimated in the ILW were opposite to the effects reported in the ID pigs. Suggestive association (P<0.10) was observed with muscle cathepsin B activity, opening, if confirmed, potential applications to reduce the excessive softness defect of the green hams that is of particular concern for the processing industry. The results obtained supported the need to further investigate the PCSK1 gene to fully exploit the value of its variability and apply this information in pig breeding programs.
Fontanesi L., Bertolini F., Scotti E., Trevisi P., Buttazzoni L., Dall’Olio S., et al. (2012). Polymorphisms in an obesity-related gene (PCSK1) are associated with fat deposition and production traits in Italian heavy pigs. ANIMAL, 6, 1913-1924 [10.1017/S1751731112001280].
Polymorphisms in an obesity-related gene (PCSK1) are associated with fat deposition and production traits in Italian heavy pigs
FONTANESI, LUCA;BERTOLINI, FRANCESCA;SCOTTI, EMILIO;TREVISI, PAOLO;DALL'OLIO, STEFANIA;DAVOLI, ROBERTA;BOSI, PAOLO;RUSSO, VINCENZO
2012
Abstract
The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) gene encodes the prohormone convertase 1/3 enzyme that processes prohormones into functional hormones that, in turn, regulate central and peripheral energy metabolism. Rare and common mutations in the human PCSK1 gene cause severe monogenic or confer risk of obesity. We herein investigated the porcine PCSK1 gene with the aim to identify polymorphisms associated with fat deposition and production traits in Italian heavy pigs. By resequencing about 5.1 kb of this gene in 21 pigs of different breeds we discovered 14 polymorphisms that were organized in 9 haplotypes, clearly distributed in two clades of putative European and Asian origin. Then we re-mapped this gene on porcine chromosome 2 and analysed its expression in several tissues including gastric oxyntic mucosa of weanling pigs in which PCSK1 processes the pre-pro-ghrelin into ghrelin, that in turn is involved in the control of feed intake and energy metabolism. Association analyses between PCSK1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and production, carcass and several other traits were conducted on five groups of pigs from three different experimental designs, for a total of 1221 animals. Results indicated that the analysed SNPs were associated (P<0.01 or P<0.05) with several traits including back fat thickness and visible intermuscular fat in Italian Duroc (ID) and growth performances in Italian Large White (ILW) and in ILW x Italian Landrace pigs. However, the effects estimated in the ILW were opposite to the effects reported in the ID pigs. Suggestive association (P<0.10) was observed with muscle cathepsin B activity, opening, if confirmed, potential applications to reduce the excessive softness defect of the green hams that is of particular concern for the processing industry. The results obtained supported the need to further investigate the PCSK1 gene to fully exploit the value of its variability and apply this information in pig breeding programs.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
