Role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α on the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids in goat mammary epithelial cells

Huibin Tian, Jun Luo, Hengbo Shi, Xiaoying Chen, Jiao Wu, Yusheng Liang, Cong Li, Juan J. Loor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A key member of the nuclear receptor superfamily is the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA) isoform, which in nonruminants is closely associated with fatty acid oxidation. Whether PPARA plays a role in milk fatty acid synthesis in ruminants is unknown. The main objective of the present study was to use primary goat mammary epithelial cells (GMEC) to activate PPARA via the agonist WY-14643 (WY) or to silence it via transfection of small-interfering RNA (siRNA). Three copies of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor response element (PPRE) contained in a luciferase reporter vector were transfected into GMEC followed by incubation with WY at 0, 10, 20, 30, 50, or 100 μM. A dose of 50 μM WY was most effective at activating PPRE without influencing PPARA mRNA abundance. Transfecting siRNA targeting PPARA decreased its mRNA abundance to 20% and protein level to 50% of basal levels. Use of WY upregulated FASN, SCD1, ACSL1, DGAT1, FABP4, and CD36 (1.1-, 1.5-, 2-, 1.4-, 1.5-, and 5-fold, respectively), but downregulated DGAT2 and PGC1A (-20% and -40%, respectively) abundance. In contrast, triacylglycerol concentration decreased and the content and desaturation index of C16:1 and C18:1 increased. Thus, activation of PPARA via WY appeared to channel fatty acids away from esterification. Knockdown of PPARA via siRNA downregulated ACACA, SCD1, AGPAT6, CD36, HSL, and SREBF1 (-43%, -67%, -16%, -56%, -26%, and -29%, respectively), but upregulated ACSL1, DGAT2, FABP3, and PGC1A (2-, 1.4-, 1.3-, and 2.5- fold, respectively) mRNA abundance. A decrease in the content and desaturation index of C16:1 and C18:1 coupled with an increase in triacylglycerol content accompanied those effects at the mRNA level. Overall, data suggest that PPARA could promote the synthesis of MUFA in GMEC through its effects on mRNA abundance of genes related to fatty acid synthesis, oxidation, transport, and triacylglycerol synthesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberskaa062
JournalJournal of animal science
Volume98
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Gene expression
  • Lactation
  • Milk fat
  • PPAR
  • Ruminant

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Genetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α on the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids in goat mammary epithelial cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this