Cybrid Model Supports Mitochondrial Genetic Effect on Pig Litter Size

Hao Liu; Jikun Wang; Dan Wang; Minghua Kong; Chao Ning; Xing Zhang; Jinlong Xiao; Xin Zhang; Jianfeng Liu; Xingbo Zhao

doi:10.3389/fgene.2020.579382

Cybrid Model Supports Mitochondrial Genetic Effect on Pig Litter Size

Front Genet. 2020 Dec 15:11:579382. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2020.579382. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Hao Liu^{1

2}, Jikun Wang³, Dan Wang⁴, Minghua Kong¹, Chao Ning⁴, Xing Zhang^{1

2}, Jinlong Xiao^{1

2}, Xin Zhang^{2

5}, Jianfeng Liu¹, Xingbo Zhao^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
² Wenshang Professor Workstation of China Agricultural University, Jining, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China.
⁴ College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.
⁵ Jining Animal Husbandry Station, Jining, China.

Abstract

In pigs, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphism and the correlation to reproductive performance across breeds and individuals have been largely reported, however, experimental proof has never been provided. In this study, we analyzed 807 sows for correlation of total number born (TNB) and mitotype, which presented the maximum of 1.73 piglets for mtDNA contribution. Cybrid models representing different mitotypes were generated for identification of the mtDNA effect. Results indicated significant differences on cellular and molecular characteristics among cybrids, including energy metabolic traits, mtDNA copy numbers and transcriptions, mRNA and protein expressions on mitochondrial biogenesis genes and reproduction-related genes. Referring to mitotypes, the cybrids with prolific mitotypes presented significantly higher oxygen consumption rate (OCR) productions, mtDNA transcriptions and copy numbers than those with common mitotypes, while both mRNA and protein expressions of PPARA, TFAM, ER1, ER2, and ESRRG in prolific cybrids were significantly higher than those with common mitotypes. Cybrid models reflected the mtDNA effect on pig litter size, suggesting the potential application of mtDNA polymorphism in pig selection and breeding practices.

Keywords: cybrid; genetic effect; litter size; mitochondrial DNA; pig.