ABSTRACT
In this study, chicken adipocytes were cultured to evaluate RNA interference by the leptin receptor gene. A small interfering RNA of the leptin receptor gene was synthesized, with a suppression rate of 60% being generated (P < 0.01). After the knockdown of the leptin receptor, the expression levels of certain genes decreased significantly; specifically, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, fatty acid synthase, adipose triglyceride lipase, and lipoprotein lipase. In addition, a significant increase in the expression of the adiponectin gene was documented. These results demonstrate that the leptin receptor gene might contribute to lipid metabolism by influencing the expressions of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, fatty acid synthase, adipose triglyceride lipase, lipoprotein lipase, and adiponectin genes.
Subject(s)
Adipocytes/metabolism , RNA Interference , Receptors, Leptin/genetics , Animals , Chickens , Gene Expression Regulation , Lipid Metabolism/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/chemical synthesis , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , TransfectionABSTRACT
Several studies have documented the process of early embryonic development in poultry; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its developmental regulation are poorly understood, particularly in ducks. In this study, we analyzed differential gene expression of embryos 6 and 25 h following oviposition to determine which genes regulate the early developmental stage in ducks. Among 216 randomly selected clones, 39 protein-encoding cDNAs that function in metabolism, transcription, transportation, proliferation/apoptosis, cell cycle, cell adhesion, and methylation were identified. Additionally, the full-length cDNA of the Nanog gene, encoding a 302-amino acid protein, was obtained. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed to detect expression levels of the selected genes during early and late embryonic stages, which revealed that these genes are expressed in a particular spatial and temporal pattern. These results indicate that these genes may play pivotal roles in the process of area pellucida formation through a complex and precise regulatory network during development in duck embryos.