ACTA VETERINARIA ET ZOOTECHNICA SINICA ›› 2015, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (7): 1114-1121.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2015.07.006

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Cloning of Ovine UCP2 Gene and Its Seasonally Differential Expression in Adipose Tissues

LIU Jian-hua,QIAO Li-ying,GUO Yun-yan,JIA Xia-li,LIU Wen-zhong*   

  1. (College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine,Shanxi Agricultural University,Taigu 030801,China)
  • Received:2015-02-16 Online:2015-07-23 Published:2015-07-23

Abstract:

This study focused on the cloning of ovine UCP2 gene and its seasonal expression differences in adipose tissues.The results would reveal the effects of seasonal regulation on the UCP2 expression.The full-length cDNA was cloned by RACE method.Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to study the expressions of UCP2 mRNA and its coding protein in 6 adipose tissues of South African Mutton Merino and Shanxi Mutton Sheep Dam Line during two season periods.The results showed that the ovine UCP2 cDNA was 1 641 bp in length with a 930 bp open reading frame.It contained 8 exons which encoded 309 amino acids.The mRNA expressed in all 6 adipose tissues detected in this study.Higher expression in deep than in superficial depots (P<0.05) was found as suggested by the highest expression in perirenal and lowest in subcutaneous fat.UCP2 expressed in similar trend at mRNA and protein levels,and distributed on the membrane of adipocytes.Both mRNA and protein expressions were higher in winter-spring period than that in summer-autumn period (P<0.05).These results indicate that UCP2 differentially expression in adipose tissues is related to seasonal changes and functions in maintaining body temperature and regulating energy balance.

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