Genome editing and fat regulation in pigs

Using a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination-independent approach, researchers found that insertion of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a gene associated with regulation of body temperature and fat, into pigs, which lack functional UCP1 and are sensitive to cold, improved the pigs' ability to maintain body temperature as well as reduced fat deposition and increased lean meat production in the pigs, findings with potential implications for animal welfare and production efficiency in the pork industry, according to the authors.

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Article #17-07853: "Reconstitution of UCP1 using CRISPR/Cas9 in the white adipose tissue of pigs decreases fat deposition and improves thermogenic capacity," by Qiantao Zheng et al.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jianguo Zhao, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, CHINA; tel: +8613911407503; e-mail: zhaojg@ioz.ac.cn