Effects of the FHL2 gene on the development of subcutaneous and intramuscular adipocytes in goats

AbstractBackgroundAdipose tissue affects not only the meat quality of domestic animals, but also human health. Adipocyte differentiation is regulated by a series of regulatory genes and cyclins. Four and half LIM protein (FHL2) is positively correlated with the hypertrophy of fat cells and can cause symptoms such as obesity and diabetes.ResultIn the transcriptome sequencing analysis of intramuscular adipocytes after three days of differentiation, the differentially expressed geneFHL2was found. To further explore the biological significance of the differentially expressed geneFHL2, which was downregulated in the mature adipocytes. We revealed the function ofFHL2in adipogenesis through the acquisition and loss of function ofFHL2. The results showed that the overexpression ofFHL2significantly increased the expression of adipogenic genes (PPARγ,C/EBPβ) and the differentiation of intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes. However, silencingFHL2significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation. The overexpression ofFHL2increased the number of adipocytes stained with crystal violet and increased the mRNA expression of proliferation marker genes such asCCNE,PCNA,CCNDandCDK2. In addition, it significantly increased the rate of EdU positive cells. In terms of apoptosis, overexpression ofFHL2significantly inhibited the expression ofP53andBAXin both intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes, which are involved in cell apoptosis. However, overexpression ofFHL2promoted the expression ofBCL, but was rescued by the silencing ofFHL2.ConclusionsIn conclusion, this study suggests that FHL2 promotes the differentiation, and proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of both intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes. These findings elucidate the function of FHL2 in regulating the development of adipocytes.