Author(s): DINIZ, W. J. DA S.; TIZIOTO, P. C.; COUTINHO, L. L.; CESAR, A. S. M.; GROMBONI, C. F.; NOGUEIRA, A. R. de A.; REGITANO, L. C. de A.

Summary: Iron is essential to several biological processes, such as oxygen transport and lipid metabolism. In this study, the RNA sequencing technology (RNAseq) was adopted to identify differentially expressed genes (DE) and metabolic pathways, as well as its relationship with meat quality parameters influenced by the variation in iron content (IC) in muscle. Samples of Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle from Nelore cattle (n = 8), extreme genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) for IC (four samples with high (HIL) and four low (LIL) GEBV) were used. Data analysis by Tuxedo Suite identified 49 annotated genes DE between the groups. The functional enrichment analysis identified important metabolic pathways associated with lipid metabolism, like stearate biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis and palmitate biosynthesis, which participate in the gene FASN, FABP4, SLC27A6 and THRSP. These results suggest biologic pathways influenced by iron and contribute information for the understanding of their participation in the process that affects muscle physiology in cattle.

Publication year: 2015

Types of publication: Paper in annals and proceedings

Unit: Embrapa Southeastern Livestock

Keywords: Fatty acids, Gene expression, Iron metabolism, Longissimus dorsi