Transcriptome Profile Reveals Genetic and Metabolic Mechanisms Related to Essential Fatty Acid Content of Intramuscular <i>Longissimus thoracis</i> in Nellore Cattle
Gustavo Pimenta Schettini,
Elisa Peripolli,
Pâmela Almeida Alexandre,
Wellington Bizarria dos Santos,
Angélica Simone Cravo Pereira,
Lúcia Galvão de Albuquerque,
Fernando Baldi,
Rogério Abdallah Curi
Affiliations
Gustavo Pimenta Schettini
School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
Elisa Peripolli
School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
Pâmela Almeida Alexandre
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Agriculture & Food, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
Wellington Bizarria dos Santos
School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
Angélica Simone Cravo Pereira
School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
Lúcia Galvão de Albuquerque
School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
Fernando Baldi
School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
Rogério Abdallah Curi
School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 18618-681, SP, Brazil
Beef is a source of essential fatty acids (EFA), linoleic (LA) and alpha-linolenic (ALA) acids, which protect against inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases in humans. However, the intramuscular EFA profile in cattle is a complex and polygenic trait. Thus, this study aimed to identify potential regulatory genes of the essential fatty acid profile in Longissimus thoracis of Nellore cattle finished in feedlot. Forty-four young bulls clustered in four groups of fifteen animals with extreme values for each FA were evaluated through differentially expressed genes (DEG) analysis and two co-expression methodologies (WGCNA and PCIT). We highlight the ECHS1, IVD, ASB5, and ERLIN1 genes and the TF NFIA, indicated in both FA. Moreover, we associate the NFYA, NFYB, PPARG, FASN, and FADS2 genes with LA, and the RORA and ELOVL5 genes with ALA. Furthermore, the functional enrichment analysis points out several terms related to FA metabolism. These findings contribute to our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying the beef EFA profile in Nellore cattle finished in feedlot.
