Transcriptome Changes in Porcine Granulosa Cells in Response to Gossypol Cytotoxicity

Abstract Background: Gossypol (GP) is a polyphenolic compound in cottonseed. In porcine, GP affects female reproduction and the respiratory system. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes in porcine granulosa cells (GCs) treated with GP (6.25 and 12.5 μM) for 72 h, in vitro . Results: In GP-treated groups (6.25 and 12.5 μM), the expressions of a number of genes were found to be significantly changed. Gene ontology analysis indicated that the identified DEGs were primarily related to the mitotic cell cycle, chromosome, centromeric region and protein binding. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis of the GP6.25 group revealed that pathways related to the cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation and p53 signaling were the most changed, while that of the GP12.5 group revealed that pathways related to the PI3K-Akt signaling, focal adhesion, HIF-1 signaling, cell cycle and ECM-receptor interaction were the most changed. Genes associated with female reproductive function ( CDK1 , CCNB1 , CPEB1 and MMP3 ), cellular component organization ( BIRC5 , CYP1A1 , TGFβ3 and COL1A2 ) and oxidation-reduction processes ( PRDX6 , MGST1 and SOD3 ) were confirmed to be differently expressed in GP-treated groups. Conclusion: Our findings provide insight regarding changes in GC gene expression in porcine exposed to GP.