UFM1-Specific Ligase 1 Ligating Enzyme 1 Mediates Milk Protein and Fat Synthesis-Related Gene Expression via the JNK Signaling Pathway in Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cells

Ubiquitin-like modifier 1 ligating enzyme 1 (UFL1) has been characterized as a ubiquitin-like (Ubl) protein that affects a range of cellular processes across various pathways. In this study, mouse mammary epithelial cells (HC11 cell line) and UFL1 knockout (KO) mice were used to establish UFL1 knockdown models to explore the influence of UFL1 on milk protein and fat synthesis in the mouse mammary gland and the underlying mechanisms. This is the first study to show UFL1 localization in mouse mammary epithelial cells. UFL1 depletion by transfected UFL1 siRNA (siUFL1) caused aggravated apoptosis. In addition, UFL1 depletion suppressed milk protein synthesis-related protein level in vivo and in vitro. Conversely, ACACA and FASN expressions increased in UFL1-deficient mice. Moreover, UFL1 depletion increased triglyceride synthesis levels and inhibited the p-JNK expression. Importantly, the expression of proteins related to milk protein synthesis was decreased in JNK- and UFL1-deficient cells, whereas proteins related to milk fat synthesis showed the opposite trend, indicating that UFL1 affects milk protein and fat synthesis via the suppression of JNK activation. Overall, our findings indicate that UFL1 plays a key role in mammary milk and fat synthesis via JNK activation.