Cloning and expression analysis of porcine small adipocyte factor 1 ( SMAF1 ) gene

cDNA of the porcine small adipocyte factor 1 ( SMAF1 ) gene was amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with degenerate primers designed according to the conserved sequences between human and mouse genes. The cDNA (GenBank accession No. DQ191892) containing a complete encoding region was 256 bp in length, sharing 86 and 78% identity with that of human and mouse, respectively. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence between porcine SMAF1 and the human, mouse, cattle and rat protein showed that the amino acid similarity was 81, 67, 84 and 70%, respectively. The results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the porcine gene was expressed abundantly in adipose tissue, and at a significantly lower level in lean-type pigs (Large White pigs) than in lard-type pigs (Meishan pigs) at the age of 4 months ( P SMAF1 gene may have similar functions as in other species, that is, it may regulate adipogenesis and/or adipocyte function.