Identification of differentially expressed genes in adipose tissue of min pig and large white pig using RNA-seq

ABSTRACT Min pigs and Large White pigs are two breeds that vary significantly in thickness of adipose tissue. In this study, transcriptome profiling was used to examine the fat tissues of both breeds. Min pig compared to Large White pig, 523 DEGs were down-regulated, and 112 DEGs were up-regulated. The DEGs were significantly enriched in biological process of oxidoreductase activity; helicase activity and others. In cellular component, DEGs were enriched in intracellular. In molecular function, DEGs were enriched in cytoskeletal protein binding and ion binding. Although there were many DEGs between Min pigs and Large White pigs, no significant pathway was enriched surprisingly. ATP6V0A4, TAP2, FGFBP1, PHEROA and GLYATL2 were expressed significantly higher in Large White pigs. These results suggest that the gene expression pattern in the back fat tissue was different between Large White pigs and Min pigs.