Characterization of the core promoter region of bovine FTO gene: Identification and potential regulation by GR, FOXO1, C/EBPβ, and PPARα binding sites

The fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) critically regulates fat metabolism. The FTO protein encoded by this gene exhibits RNA demethylase activity, enabling it to regulate adipocyte differentiation and the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Consequently, it exerts significant influence on the processes of fat synthesis, storage, and degradation. Research on the FTO gene is crucial for elucidating lipid metabolism and obesity-related mechanisms. In this study, we examined the expression patterns of the FTO gene in the tissues of fetal cattle and 24-month-old Guanling cattle. Bioinformatics prediction combined with dual-luciferase reporter assays identified the core promoter region of the FTO gene. Site-directed mutagenesis was subsequently performed to evaluate the effects of transcription factors on promoter transcriptional activity. The results demonstrated that the expression level of the FTO gene was significantly higher in the adipose tissue of Guanling cattle than in other tissues (P < 0.01), with the highest expression observed in adipose tissue. Furthermore, the core promoter region of the FTO gene was mapped to the region spanning −1021∼−702 bp upstream of the transcription start site. Subsequent analysis of mutations in transcription factor binding sites revealed that alterations in the binding sites for GR, FOXO1, C/EBPβ, and PPARα significantly affected the transcriptional activity of the FTO gene (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study identified the specific expression pattern of the FTO gene in the adipose tissue of Guanling cattle and explored the regulatory roles of the core promoter region and transcription factor binding sites in modulating promoter activity. These findings aim to further elucidate the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of the FTO gene in cattle.