Transcriptome responses to dexamethasone of the liver of pigs with different genotypes at the GRAla610Val mutation. Transcriptome responses to dexamethasone of the liver of pigs with different genotypes at the GRAla610Val mutation

The main aims of the experiment were to 1) chart gene networks governed by glucocorticoid receptor on a genome-wide scale, 2) to provide insights into mechanisms modulating glucocorticoid sensitivity and 3) to obtain better understanding of molecular and phenotypic consequences of the GRAla610Val substitution by examining its transcriptome signature in untreated and dexamethasone-treated animals. A total of 48 purebred German Landrace piglets were used in the experiment. At the age of 7 weeks, the piglets were intramuscularly injected with either; 1) 10 μg/kg dexamethasone, 2) 60 μg/kg dexamethasone, or 3) saline into the neck muscle. All three treatment groups were balanced for sex and genotype.

本实验的核心目标共有三项：其一，在全基因组尺度下绘制受糖皮质激素受体（glucocorticoid receptor）调控的基因调控网络；其二，深入解析调控糖皮质激素敏感性的分子机制；其三，通过分析未处理与地塞米松（dexamethasone）处理动物的转录组特征，更全面地阐明GRAla610Val变异所带来的分子与表型后果。本实验共使用48头纯种德国兰德瑞斯仔猪，实验仔猪于7周龄时，分别于颈部肌肉接受三种处理：1）10 μg/kg地塞米松，2）60 μg/kg地塞米松，3）生理盐水。所有三个处理组在性别与基因型上均保持均衡。