DNA strands interwoven with marbling patterns, representing intramuscular fat and genetic research.

Unlock the Secrets to Healthier Pork: How Gene Analysis Could Revolutionize Meat Quality

Elliot Brynn in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how mRNA and lncRNA research in pigs is paving the way for better understanding of intramuscular fat and lipid metabolism, with implications for human health."

For centuries, humans have selectively bred animals to enhance desirable traits. In pig farming, this has led to leaner meats, but often at the expense of flavor and marbling, which are heavily influenced by intramuscular fat (IMF). Simultaneously, growing rates of obesity are pushing researchers to discover the science behind lipid accumulation. Pig models are especially useful, as they are anatomically similar to humans. Understanding the precise pathways of fat deposition in swine is key to solving human health problems and improving meat quality.

Recent scientific advancements have revealed that genes might regulate intramuscular adipogenesis and lipid metabolism. These include genes like stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARY).

Delving into this topic further, recent developments in RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) have allowed scientists to identify and analyze long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs. LncRNAs, which do not code for proteins, play critical regulatory roles in fat deposition. However, research on lncRNAs in pig intramuscular adipose tissue is still limited. A new study aims to address this gap, focusing on pigs with stark differences in fat deposition.

Decoding the Genome: Key Findings on Fat Deposition in Pigs

DNA strands interwoven with marbling patterns, representing intramuscular fat and genetic research.

A new study published in Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry investigates the function of mRNAs and IncRNAs in intramuscular fat development of two pig breeds. The research team used Laiwu (LW) pigs and Large White (LY) pigs. LW pigs, native to North China, are known for high-quality meat with significant intramuscular fat. Large White pigs are a faster-growing, leaner breed.

By comparing gene expression profiles in these two breeds, scientists were able to pinpoint key genetic differences related to fat metabolism and adipogenesis (the formation of fat cells). The results of the study identified 513 mRNAs and 55 IncRNAs that exhibited different expression levels between the two pig breeds.

Key LncRNAs Identified: Through co-expression network construction and target gene analysis, 31 key LncRNAs were identified as potentially important in regulating fat deposition.
Gene Ontology and KEGG Pathway Analysis: Analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes and IncRNAs were primarily involved in biological processes and pathways related to adipogenesis and lipid metabolism.
Specific Targets: The study suggests that XLOC_046142, XLOC_004398, and XLOC_015408 may target MAPKAPK2, NR1D2, and AKR1C4, respectively, playing critical regulatory roles in intramuscular adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in pigs.
Role in Lipid Metabolism-Related Diseases: XLOC_064871 and XLOC_011001 may influence lipid metabolism-related diseases by regulating TRIB3 and BRCA1.

These findings offer valuable insights into the roles of IncRNAs in regulating fat metabolism and deposition. By identifying key genes and pathways, this research paves the way for future studies aimed at improving meat quality and understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying intramuscular fat development.

Implications for Health and Future Research

This research offers important implications for both agriculture and human health. Understanding the genetic mechanisms that control intramuscular fat deposition in pigs could lead to strategies for improving meat quality. It also helps advance our knowledge of obesity and related metabolic disorders. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore the potential of targeting IncRNAs to manipulate fat metabolism. Ultimately, this could lead to new interventions for preventing and treating obesity and related health problems.

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Everything You Need To Know

What specific mRNAs and lncRNAs were identified as having different expression levels between the Laiwu and Large White pig breeds, and what potential regulatory roles do they play in fat deposition?

The study identified 513 mRNAs and 55 lncRNAs that showed different expression levels between Laiwu pigs and Large White pigs. Furthermore, through co-expression network construction and target gene analysis, 31 key lncRNAs were identified as potentially important in regulating fat deposition. These included XLOC_046142, XLOC_004398, and XLOC_015408 which may target MAPKAPK2, NR1D2, and AKR1C4, respectively. It was also identified that XLOC_064871 and XLOC_011001 may influence lipid metabolism-related diseases by regulating TRIB3 and BRCA1.

How did scientists use different pig breeds to identify key genetic differences related to fat metabolism and adipogenesis?

The study used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to compare gene expression profiles in Laiwu (LW) pigs, known for high intramuscular fat, and Large White (LY) pigs, a leaner breed. By analyzing the differences in mRNA and lncRNA expression between these two breeds, the scientists could pinpoint key genetic differences related to fat metabolism and adipogenesis (the formation of fat cells). This comparative approach allowed them to identify specific genes and pathways involved in intramuscular fat development.

How does intramuscular fat affect meat quality, and what role do genes play in this process?

Intramuscular fat (IMF) significantly impacts meat quality by influencing flavor and marbling. While selective breeding in pig farming has aimed for leaner meats, it has often sacrificed the desirable qualities associated with IMF. Understanding the genetic regulation of IMF deposition, particularly through genes like stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARY), allows for a more nuanced approach to breeding. This approach could balance leanness with flavor, enhancing the overall quality and consumer appeal of pork.

What are the broader implications of this research for human health, particularly in understanding and addressing obesity and related metabolic disorders?

This research enhances the understanding of obesity and related metabolic disorders. By studying the genetic mechanisms controlling intramuscular fat deposition in pigs, scientists gain insight into lipid metabolism and adipogenesis. Since pigs share anatomical similarities with humans, findings related to lncRNAs and mRNAs involved in fat deposition could be translated to human health, potentially leading to new interventions for preventing and treating obesity. Future studies would need to validate these findings and explore the potential of targeting specific lncRNAs to manipulate fat metabolism in humans.

What are LncRNAs, and how might they regulate intramuscular adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in pigs?

LncRNAs, or long non-coding RNAs, are RNA molecules that do not code for proteins but play critical regulatory roles in various biological processes, including fat deposition. The study suggests that specific lncRNAs, such as XLOC_046142, XLOC_004398, and XLOC_015408, may regulate intramuscular adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in pigs by targeting genes like MAPKAPK2, NR1D2, and AKR1C4. Understanding the function of these lncRNAs could provide new targets for improving meat quality and addressing metabolic disorders.