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Food chemistry. Molecular sciences2026; 12; 100365; doi: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100365

Integrated targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis reveals heterogeneity of subcutaneous and pericardial adipose tissues in Yili horses.

Abstract: Fat deposition is a key economic trait in livestock, yet distinct adipose depots often display marked functional heterogeneity. The molecular basis underlying this divergence in Yili horses, however, remains poorly understood. Therefore, we hypothesized that the heterogeneity in fatty acid composition between subcutaneous (SAT) and pericardial adipose tissues (PCAT) in Yili horses is associated with distinct transcriptional programs, which can be explored using an integrated multi-omics approach. Using targeted metabolomics, we found that PCAT contained significantly higher levels of total, saturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, but lower monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) compared with SAT. Transcriptomic profiling identified 1513 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were primarily enriched in metabolic, endocrine, and signal transduction pathways. Integrative analysis further highlighted , , , , , and as key regulators associated with depot-specific fatty acid differences. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the molecular heterogeneity between SAT and PCAT in Yili horses, support our original hypothesis, and provide a molecular basis for understanding adipose depot-specific lipid metabolism, with potential implications for improving fat deposition traits in Yili horses.
Publication Date: 2026-01-26 PubMed ID: 41660677PubMed Central: PMC12874588DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100365Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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Overview

  • This study investigates the differences in fat composition and gene expression between two types of fat tissue (subcutaneous and pericardial adipose tissues) in Yili horses using combined metabolic and gene expression analyses.
  • The research reveals distinct fatty acid profiles and identifies key genes that regulate these differences, providing insights into fat metabolism specific to these fat depots.

Introduction and Rationale

  • Fat deposition is an important economic trait for livestock, influencing meat quality and animal health.
  • Adipose tissue is heterogeneous; different fat depots have varied functions and molecular characteristics.
  • In Yili horses, the molecular mechanisms behind the functional heterogeneity between subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PCAT) are not well understood.
  • The hypothesis is that differences in fatty acid composition between SAT and PCAT correspond to distinct gene expression patterns, which can be uncovered by integrative metabolomics and transcriptomics (multi-omics) analysis.

Methods

  • Targeted metabolomics was used to quantify various fatty acids in both SAT and PCAT, including total, saturated, monounsaturated (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
  • Transcriptomic profiling (e.g., RNA sequencing) was employed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two adipose tissue types.
  • Integrated analysis combined metabolite data with gene expression data to pinpoint genes involved in fatty acid metabolism and regulation specific to each tissue.

Results

  • Metabolomics revealed distinct fatty acid profiles:
    • PCAT had significantly higher levels of total fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to SAT.
    • PCAT had lower levels of monounsaturated fatty acids than SAT.
  • Transcriptomic analysis identified 1,513 differentially expressed genes between SAT and PCAT.
  • These genes were mainly enriched in pathways related to:
    • Metabolic processes
    • Endocrine functions
    • Signal transduction
  • Integration of metabolite and gene expression data highlighted several key regulators (the exact genes were not specified in the abstract) that are strongly associated with fatty acid differences between the two adipose depots.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study confirms molecular heterogeneity between SAT and PCAT in Yili horses at both metabolic and transcriptional levels.
  • These results support the initial hypothesis that fatty acid composition differences correspond to distinct transcriptional profiles.
  • The identified molecular signatures provide a better understanding of depot-specific lipid metabolism in horses.
  • This knowledge has practical implications for breeding or managing Yili horses to improve fat deposition traits, potentially enhancing economic value and animal health.
  • Overall, the research underscores the benefit of integrated multi-omics approaches to dissect complex biological traits like fat heterogeneity across different adipose tissues.

Cite This Article

APA
Yang L, Shen Z, Song L, Lu Z, Zeng Y, Wang J, Ren W, Yao X, Meng J. (2026). Integrated targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis reveals heterogeneity of subcutaneous and pericardial adipose tissues in Yili horses. Food Chem (Oxf), 12, 100365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100365

Publication

ISSN: 2666-5662
NlmUniqueID: 9918367084406676
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Pages: 100365
PII: 100365

Researcher Affiliations

Yang, Liping
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Shen, Zhehong
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Song, Lirong
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Lu, Zhixin
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Zeng, Yaqi
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Sports Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Wang, Jianwen
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Sports Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Ren, Wanlu
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Sports Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Yao, Xinkui
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Sports Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Meng, Jun
  • College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Sports Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.
  • Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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