Expression profile of lipid metabolism related genes FASN and ACL in porcine fat and muscle tissues

Fat deposition is a crucial aspect of pig meat quality: a suitable marbling and the right balance between lean meat and fat in carcass are both essential features to produce high quality dry cured hams. Moreover fat content influences both organoleptic and nutritive characteristics of meat products and consumer acceptance. Differences among breeds in intramuscular fat content and backfat thickness have been reported but the molecular events underlying the different aptitude to fat deposition are poorly known. The analysis of the expression profile of lipogenic genes in muscle and fat tissues in different pig breeds can contribute to a better knowledge of fat deposition control in pig meat and can provide new insights into carcass adiposity. The objective of this study is to investigate the expression level of the key adipogenic genes ATP citrate lyase and Fatty acid synthase in Italian Duroc and Italian Large White pigs with different fat deposition capacities. The obtained results suggest a tissue-specific mechanisms regulating gene transcription of FASN and ACL in the analysed samples. In adipose tissue, differential expression between the analysed breeds was observed and ILW pigs showed the highest FASN transcriptional level. In skeletal muscle tissue the greatest mRNA abundance of both lipogenic genes in ID pigs could be consistent with the high intermuscular fat deposition aptitude of this breed.