Transcriptome analysis reveals intestinal gene expression and metabolic pathways in yaks

The yak (Bos grunniens) is a typical high-altitude ruminant that has long endured extreme environments such as low oxygen, low temperature, and strong ultraviolet radiation, making it a key model for studying high-altitude adaptation physiology and ecology. The intestine is an important metabolic organ that plays a crucial role in environmental adaptation. Therefore, this study systematically compared and analyzed the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of the yak's intestine to reveal its metabolic mechanisms in response to the high-altitude environment. The research results showed that the expression of multiple key metabolic genes such as IDO1, KYNU (tryptophan metabolism), ACSL1 (lipid metabolism), and ABCG2 (vitamin transport) in the yak's small intestine was significantly upregulated, suggesting that it has stronger physiological potential in small intestinal nutrient metabolism and barrier function. In the large intestine, the expression of key genes in pathways such as lipid metabolism (PLA2), detoxification reactions (UGT), cAMP signaling (ADCY, CREB3L), and bile secretion (ABCC) was significantly upregulated in yaks, indicating that it has unique physiological adaptation advantages in energy regulation and maintaining intestinal homeostasis. This study systematically expounded the metabolic mechanisms of the yak's intestine under extreme high-altitude environments, providing a reference basis for in-depth analysis of ruminant intestinal function and molecular breeding.