Deciphering the lncRNA and mRNA profiles of Min pig backfat after acute cold stress

Cold stress can promote fat metabolism and reduce fat deposition. The present study compared differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and mRNAs in the subcutaneous back fat of Min pigs subjected to 24 h acute cold stress. Transcriptome sequencing was used to identify DE lncRNAs and mRNAs. A lncRNA mRNA co expression network was constructed using the confirmed lncRNAs. GO and KEGG analyses were performed to investigate the biological processes involved in the response to acute cold stress. A total of 166 DE lncRNAs and 269 DE mRNAs were found. Several genes such as ANGPTL4, KLF11 and NUPR1 were related to lipid metabolism. Interferon stimulating genes (ISGS) such as RSAD2, ISG20, ISG15, DDX60, MX2, MX1 and IFI6 were all significantly up-regulated. In addition, genes related to blood flow, respiration, and oxidative stress were also up-regulated. Many terms related to defense response to a virus were found in the GO annotation. A lncRNA mRNA co expression network comprising 46 specific mRNAs and the top 10 up-regulated DE lncRNAs was constructed. According to the results, the interaction between lncRNAs and mRNAs was complex. This study provides genome-wide gene and lncRNA expression profiles in adipose tissue of pigs after acute cold stress.