Transcriptome Analysis of Liangshan Pig Muscle Development at the Growth Curve Inflection Point and Asymptotic Stages Using Digital Gene Expression Profiling

摘要: Animal growth curves can provide essential information for animal breeders to optimize feeding and management strategies. However, the genetic mechanism underlying phenotypic differentiation between inflection point asymptotic stages of curve is not well characterized. Here, we employed Liangshan pigs in at (under point: UIP) two (before BIP, after AIP) as models survey global gene expression longissimus dorsi muscle using digital (DGE) tag profiling. We found reached maximum rate (UIP) 163.6 days age a weight 134.6 kg. The DGE libraries generated 117 million reads 5.89 gigabases length. 21,331, 20,996 20,139 expressed transcripts were identified UIP AIP, respectively. Among them, 757 differentially genes (DEGs) BIP UIP, 271 DEGs AIP UIP. An enrichment analysis proved immune system was strengthened stage. Energy metabolism rate, transcriptional activity bone development intensity highest Meat from had intramuscular fat content most favorable fatty acid composition AIP. Three hundred eighty (27.70%) specific highly enriched QTL regions meat quality traits. This study completed comprehensive diverse mechanisms growth. Our findings will serve an important resource understanding indigenous pig breeds.