Adipogenesis in ducks interfered by small interfering ribonucleic acids of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma gene

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) participates in adipocyte differentiation and maintenance, including the promotion of lipid storage in mammals. In the present study, 3 duck PPARgamma small interfering RNA (siRNA) expression plasmids were constructed to investigate the effect of downregulating the expression of PPARgamma on adipogenesis and fat accumulation in ducks. The results indicate that the 3 siRNA specific for conserved regions of PPARgamma can effectively inhibit expression of PPARgamma. It was demonstrated that the expression of lipoprotein lipase and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein in duck adipose tissue is repressed when the expression of PPARgamma is downregulated by siRNA. At the same time, the weight of abdominal fat at 21 and 35 d of age is decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the control. However, the triglyceride levels in serum and muscle are not affected when the mRNA of PPARgamma is repressed. The current study indicates that the suppression of PPARgamma reduces abdominal fat deposition and regulates adipogenesis in ducks.

Figure 1

Identification of pS-P167, pS-P271, and pS-P273 plasmids by Hin dIII digestion. Lane 1 = pS-P167 plasmid digest; lane 2 = pS-P271 plasmid digest; lane 3 = pS-P273 plasmid digest; M = DL15000 DNA marker.

Figure 2

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) mRNA expression in the adipose tissue of ducks from the pS-P167, pS-P271, pS-P273, pS-negative, and blank groups at 21 d. Data are presented as the means ± SD, n = 8 in each group. ^a–c Different letters indicate significant difference (P < 0.05).

Figure 3

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) protein expression in the adipose tissue of ducks from the pS-P167, pS-P271, pS-P273, pS-negative, and blank groups at 21 d. Lane 1 = pS-negative group; lane 2 = the blank group; lane 3 = the pS-P271 group; lane 4 = the pS-P167 group; lane 5 = the pS-P273 group; M = protein marker.

Figure 4

The abdominal fat (A) and liver weights (B) of ducks from the pS-P167, pS-P271, pS-P273, pS-negative, and blank groups at 21 and 35 d. Data are presented as the means ± SD, n = 8 in each group. ^a,b Different letters indicate significant difference (P < 0.05).

Figure 5

The triglyceride (TG) content of serum (A) and muscle (B) of ducks from the pS-P167, pS-P271, pS-P273, pS-negative, and blank groups at 21 and 35 d. Data are presented as the means ± SD, n = 8 in each group.