• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.475-484
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• 2008

The current study was undertaken to determine the effect of retinoic acid(RA) on differentiation and gene expression of pig preadipocytes. The preadipocytes were isolated from the backfat of the new-born pigs. RA was treated to the cultured cells for 4 days and RNA was extracted from the cells. Isolated RNA went through in situ hybridization using the 14,688-gene cDNA microarray chip. Degree of cell differentiation was determined by measuring glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. RA decreased differentiation of pig preadipocytes by 78%. Fourteen genes were significantly up-regulated by RA, including genes known to be involved in lipid metabolism, particulary sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase, apolipoprotein R precursor, growth factor receptor-bound protein 14, retinoic acid receptor RXR gamma. However, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor D precursor and growth hormone receptor precursor genes playing a central role in cell growth, was greatly decreased. These results suggest that RA inhibits differentiation of pig preadiocytes by regulation of gene expression of the growth factor or growth hormone receptor.