Expression of turkey transcription factors and acyl-coenzyme oxidase in different tissues and genetic populations

Several transcription factors are involved in regulating lipid metabolism in various animal tissues. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma and PPARalpha regulate lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. Gene fragments for PPARgamma, PPARalpha, and acyl-coenzyme A oxidase (ACO) have been cloned in turkeys, and the sequences of these genes were highly homologous to those of chickens; pigs, and humans. Data showed that turkey PPARgamma and PPARalpha were highly homologous (>97%) with that of the chicken, indicating the genetic relationship between those two species was close. The tissue distribution and genetic effect on mRNA concentrations of PPARgamma, PPARalpha, and ACO in two genetic populations of turkeys [randombred control (RBC2) and growth selected (F line)] was determined. The PPARgamma mRNA was highly expressed in adipose tissue in both populations, but there was no difference between the two populations. The PPARalpha mRNA concentration was high in the liver with less expression in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. The PPARalpha mRNA concentration was similar between the two genetic populations. The ACO mRNA was expressed in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver with no difference between the genetic populations. The data suggest that both turkey liver and adipose tissue have considerable capability for fatty acid oxidation and synthesis. Long-term selection for increased 16-wk BW in the F line had no effect on the expression of PPARgamma, PPARalpha, and ACO.