Differential Expression Analysis of tRNA-Derived Small RNAs from Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Obese and Lean Pigs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Pig subcutaneous adipose tissue deposition capacity can reflect the growth rate of pigs, but too much fat deposition can lead to obesity, causing serious metabolic disorders, resulting in metabolic diseases. At present, obesity has become a global health epidemic. In this study, we used obese and lean pigs as models to reveal the expression profile of tsRNA in subcutaneous adipose tissue. The results demonstrated an important potential regulatory network involved in fat deposition in porcine subcutaneous adipose tissue. This study provides a new research idea for the regulation mechanism of fat deposition in pigs, and provides a reference for preventing the occurrence of obesity. ABSTRACT: Epigenetic factors, including non-coding RNA regulation, play a vital role in the development of obesity and have been well researched. Transfer RNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) is a class of non-coding RNA proven to be involved in various aspects of mammalian biology. Here we take pigs as a model for obesity research and use tsRNA-seq to investigate the difference in tsRNA expression in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese and lean pigs to elucidate the role of tsRNA in obesity development. A total of 482 tsRNAs were identified in pig adipose tissue, of which 123 were significantly differentially accumulated tsRNAs compared with the control group. The tRF-5c was the main type of these tsRNAs. The largest number of tsRNAs produced was the Gly-carrying tRNA, which produced 81 tsRNAs. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that differential tsRNAs indirectly participated in MAPK, AMPK, insulin resistance, the TNF signaling pathway, adipocytokine signaling pathway, and other signaling pathways by interacting with target genes. These are involved in bioenergetic metabolic regulatory processes, suggesting that tsRNAs may influence these pathways to mediate the regulation of energy metabolism in porcine adipocytes to promote lipid deposition, thus contributing to obesity. Our findings suggest a potential function of tsRNA in regulating obesity development.