# The Effects of FTO on the Proliferation and Differentiation of Rabbit Preadipocytes

## TL;DR

This study explores how the FTO gene affects fat cell development in rabbits, which could improve meat quality and human health.

## Contribution

The study identifies FTO as a positive regulator of rabbit preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation using multi-omics approaches.

## Key findings

- FTO overexpression enhances rabbit preadipocyte differentiation and proliferation.
- Loss-of-function FTO impairs preadipocyte development.
- 422 differentially expressed genes were identified between FTO overexpression and control groups.

## Abstract

With the improvement of living standards and growing health awareness among consumers, rabbit meat has been increasingly recognized as a healthy source of protein, owing to its nutritional profile characterized by high protein, minimal fat content, and negligible cholesterol levels. Compared to other meats, rabbit meat contains higher proportions of unsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for human health by helping reduce blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thereby lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and hypertension. Since the deposition of adipocytes in rabbits directly affects meat quality attributes including tenderness, flavor, and juiciness, this study holds significant importance for improving livestock meat quality and promoting healthier human dietary choices.

FTO expression correlates with adipose tissue development in rabbits, yet its regulatory role in preadipocyte differentiation remains poorly understood. Therefore, we employed transcriptome sequencing to identify 422 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the FTO overexpression group and the FTO-negative control group. Multi-omics evidence from proliferation assays (CCK-8), protein verification (WB), gene quantification (qPCR), and lipid staining (Oil Red O) established FTO as a positive regulator of rabbit preadipocyte development with gain-of-function enhancing and loss-of-function impeding differentiation. In conclusion, FTO regulates the proliferation and differentiation of rabbit preadipocytes, providing deeper insights into livestock energy metabolism and physiological functions. These findings hold significant implications for healthy animal farming, high-quality livestock product production, and the prevention and control of metabolic diseases in animals.