A Newly Identified LncRNA LncIMF4 Controls Adipogenesis of Porcine Intramuscular Preadipocyte through Attenuating Autophagy to Inhibit Lipolysis

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is implicated in juiciness, tenderness, and flavor of pork. Meat quality of Chinese fat-type pig is much better than that of lean-type pig because of its higher IMF content. LncRNA is a vital regulator that contributes to adipogenesis. However, it is unknown about the regulation of lncRNA on IMF content. Here, by RNA sequence analysis of intramuscular adipocyte from Bamei pig (fat-type) and Yorkshire pig (lean-type), we found that a novel lncRNA, lncIMF4, was associated with adipogenesis. LncIMF4, abundant in adipose, differently expressed along with intramuscular preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation. Meanwhile, it is located both in cytoplasm and nucleus. Besides, lncIMF4 knockdown promoted proliferation and differentiation of porcine intramuscular preadipocytes, whereas inhibited autophagy. Moreover, lncIMF4 knockdown facilitated intramuscular adipogenesis through attenuating autophagy to repress the lipolysis. Our findings will contribute to understand better the mechanism of lncRNA controlling intramuscular adipogenesis for promoting pork quality.