UFL1 regulates milk protein and fat synthesis-related gene expression of bovine mammary epithelial cells probably via the mTOR signaling pathway

UFL1 is an ufmylation (a novel post-translational modification) E3 ligase, mainly located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), that has emerged as a significant regulator of several physiological and pathological processes. Yet its physiological function in milk synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of UFL1 in milk protein and fat synthesis-related gene expression, with a particular emphasis on the role of UFL1 in LPS-treated BMECs. Results showed that UFL1 depletion significantly reduced the expression of milk protein and fat synthesis-related gene and mTOR phosphorylation in both normal and LPS-treated BMECs. Overexpression of UFL1 enhanced the activation of the mTOR and milk protein and fat synthesis-related gene expression. Collectively, these above results strongly demonstrate that UFL1 could regulate milk protein and fat synthesis-related gene expression of BMECs probably via the mTOR signaling pathway.