Nutritional strategies, such as supplementation with feed rich in unsaturated fatty acids, can increase the healthy property of milk in dairy ruminants, even if their effect throughout the pathways/genes involved in these processes are not properly defined. The next-generation RNA sequencing technology allows the whole transcriptome characterization under given conditions, thereby providing deeper knowledge of the cells activity under such conditions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been described to be potent post-transcriptional regulators in fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism by targeting lipid metabolism genes. In this study, next generation RNAsequencing was used to investigate the goat milk transcriptome and miRNAs following supplemental feeding enriched with linoleic acid (hemp seeds) or alpha-linolenic acid (linseed), in order to point out the general biological mechanisms underlying the effects related to milk fat metabolism. Eighteen pluriparous Alpine goats fed with the same pretreatment diet for 40 days were, then, arranged to three dietary treatments consisting of control (C), linseed (L) and hemp seeds (H) supplemented diets. Milk samples were collected at 40 (Time point¼T0) and 140 days of lactation (Time point¼T1), and RNA was extracted from the pelleted milk cells. Gene expression analysis was conducted by Illumina RNA sequencing. A total of 677 and 218 genes were highly differentially expressed (p.001, Fold Change >1.5 and FDR.05) in H and L group, respectively. Functional analyses using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) evidenced that modifications in feeding strategies affected key transcription factors regulating the expression of several genes involved in milk fat metabolism, e.g. SREBPs (Sterol regulatory element binding proteins), PPARs (Peroxisome proliferative activated receptor) and RXR (retinoid X receptor). Moreover, 64 and 6 differentially expressed miRNAs were uncovered in H and L group, respectively, and their potential functions were also predicted by IPA. This study provides noteworthy insights into the molecular changes occurring as a result of fat supplementation in diets and broadens our understanding of the relationship between nutrients variation and phenotypic effects.
Effect of a diet enriched with linoleic acid (hemp seeds) or alfa-linolenic acid (linseed) on the goat milk transcriptome and miRNAs
Paola Cremonesi;Stefania Chessa;Emanuele Capra;Federica Turri;Giovanna Battelli;
2017
Abstract
Nutritional strategies, such as supplementation with feed rich in unsaturated fatty acids, can increase the healthy property of milk in dairy ruminants, even if their effect throughout the pathways/genes involved in these processes are not properly defined. The next-generation RNA sequencing technology allows the whole transcriptome characterization under given conditions, thereby providing deeper knowledge of the cells activity under such conditions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been described to be potent post-transcriptional regulators in fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism by targeting lipid metabolism genes. In this study, next generation RNAsequencing was used to investigate the goat milk transcriptome and miRNAs following supplemental feeding enriched with linoleic acid (hemp seeds) or alpha-linolenic acid (linseed), in order to point out the general biological mechanisms underlying the effects related to milk fat metabolism. Eighteen pluriparous Alpine goats fed with the same pretreatment diet for 40 days were, then, arranged to three dietary treatments consisting of control (C), linseed (L) and hemp seeds (H) supplemented diets. Milk samples were collected at 40 (Time point¼T0) and 140 days of lactation (Time point¼T1), and RNA was extracted from the pelleted milk cells. Gene expression analysis was conducted by Illumina RNA sequencing. A total of 677 and 218 genes were highly differentially expressed (p.001, Fold Change >1.5 and FDR.05) in H and L group, respectively. Functional analyses using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) evidenced that modifications in feeding strategies affected key transcription factors regulating the expression of several genes involved in milk fat metabolism, e.g. SREBPs (Sterol regulatory element binding proteins), PPARs (Peroxisome proliferative activated receptor) and RXR (retinoid X receptor). Moreover, 64 and 6 differentially expressed miRNAs were uncovered in H and L group, respectively, and their potential functions were also predicted by IPA. This study provides noteworthy insights into the molecular changes occurring as a result of fat supplementation in diets and broadens our understanding of the relationship between nutrients variation and phenotypic effects.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
