ceRNA Profiling Reveals circSAMD4A Promoted Porcine Adipocytes Differentiation via Targeting miR-127/PRKAR2B

Abstract

Pork quality is critically influenced by fat deposition patterns, with emerging evidence implicating circular RNAs (circRNAs) as key regulators of adipogenesis, though the specific circRNAs controlling lipogenesis remain incompletely characterized. To systematically elucidate the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network governing porcine adipocyte differentiation, we isolated primary preadipocytes from piglets, induced differentiation, and performed comprehensive RNA sequencing that identified 504 differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs, 126 DE miRNAs, and 1615 DE mRNAs between proliferative and differentiated states, revealing an extensive transcriptomic rewiring during adipogenesis. Functional characterization demonstrated that two circRNAs, circSAMD4A and circLPAR1, significantly promoted lipid accumulation. The further mechanistic studies established that circSAMD4A functions by competitively binding miR-127, alleviating the repression of PRKAR2B, thereby enhancing adipogenic differentiation. These findings not only advance fundamental understanding of circRNA biology in adipose tissue but also provide actionable molecular targets for precision breeding strategies aimed at optimizing intramuscular fat deposition.