An approach to identify SNPs in the gene encoding acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase-2 (ACAT-2) and their proposed role in metabolic processes in pig

PLoS One. 2014 Jul 22;9(7):e102432. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102432. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The novel liver protein acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase-2 (ACAT2) is involved in the beta-oxidation and lipid metabolism. Its comprehensive relative expression, in silico non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (nsSNP) analysis, as well as its annotation in terms of metabolic process with another protein from the same family, namely, acetyl-CoA acyltransferase-2 (ACAA2) was performed in Sus scrofa. This investigation was conducted to understand the most important nsSNPs of ACAT2 in terms of their effects on metabolic activities and protein conformation. The two most deleterious mutations at residues 122 (I to V) and 281 (R to H) were found in ACAT2. Validation of expression of genes in the laboratory also supported the idea of differential expression of ACAT2 and ACAA2 conceived through the in silico analysis. Analysis of the relative expression of ACAT2 and ACAA2 in the liver tissue of Jeju native pig showed that the former expressed significantly higher (P<0.05). Overall, the computational prediction supported by wet laboratory analysis suggests that ACAT2 might contribute more to metabolic processes than ACAA2 in swine. Further associations of SNPs in ACAT2 with production traits might guide efforts to improve growth performance in Jeju native pigs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase / genetics
  • Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Cattle / genetics
  • Enzyme Stability
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Ontology
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genotyping Techniques
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Molecular Sequence Annotation
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Sterol O-Acyltransferase / genetics*
  • Sterol O-Acyltransferase / metabolism
  • Sterol O-Acyltransferase 2
  • Sus scrofa / genetics*
  • Sus scrofa / growth & development

Substances

  • Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase
  • Sterol O-Acyltransferase

Grants and funding

This study was supported by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (No. PJ009032022012 and PJ008196), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.