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Animal genetics2011; 43(2); 153-162; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2011.02238.x

PGC-1α encoded by the PPARGC1A gene regulates oxidative energy metabolism in equine skeletal muscle during exercise.

Abstract: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) has emerged as a critical control factor in skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise, acting via transcriptional control of genes responsible for angiogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle fibre type composition. In a previous study, we demonstrated a significant increase in mRNA expression for the gene encoding PGC-1α (PPARGC1A) in Thoroughbred horse skeletal muscle following a single bout of endurance exercise. In this study, we investigated mRNA expression changes in genes encoding transcriptional coactivators of PGC-1α and genes that function upstream and downstream of PGC-1α in known canonical pathways. We used linear regression to determine the associations between PPARGC1A mRNA expression and expression of the selected panel of genes. Biopsy samples were obtained from the gluteus medius pre-exercise (T(0) ), immediately post-exercise (T(1) ) and 4 h post-exercise (T(2) ). Significant (P < 0.05) expression fold change differences relative to T(0) were detected for genes functioning in angiogenesis (ANGP2 and VEGFA); Ca(2+) -dependent signalling pathway (PPP3CA); carbohydrate/glucose metabolism (PDK4); fatty acid metabolism/mitochondrial biogenesis (PPPARGC1B); haem biosynthetic process (ALAS1); insulin signalling (FOXO1, PPPARGC1A and SLC2A4); mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling (MAPK14 and MEF2A); and myogenesis (HDAC9). Gene expression associations were identified between PPARGC1A and genes involved in angiogenesis, mitochondrial respiration, glucose transport, insulin signalling and transcriptional regulation. These results suggest that PGC-1α and genes regulated by PGC-1α play significant roles in the skeletal muscle response to exercise and therefore may contribute to performance potential in Thoroughbred horses.
© 2011 The Authors, Animal Genetics © 2011 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.
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Publication Date: 2011-09-21 PubMed ID: 22404351DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2011.02238.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research examines the role of PGC-1α, a protein encoded by the PPARGC1A gene, in managing the metabolic functions of skeletal muscles in horses during exercise. This protein has previously been found to control aspects of muscle adaptation during exercise, thus, this study further explores the interplay of this protein with other genes and biological processes.

Summary of Objective and Methods

  • The researchers aimed to investigate how the expression of the PPARGC1A gene (encoding PGC-1α protein) and related genes changes as a response to exercise in horse skeletal muscles.
  • The team used linear regression to determine associations between PPARGC1A mRNA expression and other potentially related genes.
  • The investigation involved sampling biopsy specimens from the horses’ gluteus medius muscles before exercise, straight after exercise, and four hours post-exercise.

Key Findings

  • Significant changes in the relative expression of several genes associated with different biological processes were detected in response to exercise. These included genes linked to angiogenesis, carbohydrate/glucose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, haem biosynthesis, insulin signalling and other pathways.
  • Specific correlations were found between the PPARGC1A gene and those involved in processes like angiogenesis, mitochondrial respiration, glucose transport, and insulin signaling. This suggests that the PGC-1α protein might play a role in regulating these processes in skeletal muscles during exercise.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The results suggest that the PGC-1α protein and its regulated genes are significant in how skeletal muscles react to exercise.
  • Understanding this interplay may be useful in assessing performance capacity in competitive horses or developing exercise and training regimes.

Cite This Article

APA
Eivers SS, McGivney BA, Gu J, MacHugh DE, Katz LM, Hill EW. (2011). PGC-1α encoded by the PPARGC1A gene regulates oxidative energy metabolism in equine skeletal muscle during exercise. Anim Genet, 43(2), 153-162. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2011.02238.x

Publication

Animal genetics
ISSN: 1365-2052
NlmUniqueID: 8605704
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 2
Pages: 153-162

Researcher Affiliations

Eivers, S S
  • Animal Genomics Laboratory, UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, UCD College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
McGivney, B A
    Gu, J
      MacHugh, D E
        Katz, L M
          Hill, E W

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Energy Metabolism
            • Horses / genetics
            • Horses / metabolism
            • Male
            • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
            • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / genetics
            • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / metabolism
            • Physical Conditioning, Animal

            Citations

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