Amino acids are the structure elements for protein synthesis of tissue and organs in ruminants. Therefore, the efficiency of amino acid absorption and transport in the gastrointestinal tract and other tissues is very important for maintaining normal physiological function and improving performance of ruminants. However, it has been widely studied in monogastric animals and human but rarely in ruminants.

Recently, an experiment conducted by ZHU Xiaoli and her colleagues from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture (ISA) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences illustrated the mRNA expression patterns of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 (LPAR5), guanine nucleotide binding protein α-transducing 3 (GNAT3) and important partial amino acids transporters in digestive tracts, metabolic organs and muscles of growing Liuyang black goats - a local breed of goat in Changsha.

Scientists found that LPAR5, GNAT3, and partial amino acid transporters were wildly expressed in the GIT, kidney, liver, pancreas, and muscle tissues in growing goats.

However, their mRNA expression patterns differed with locations. They speculated that the abomasum, the duodenum or the jejunum, the pancreas, and the tibialis posterior might be the major positions for amino acid sensing and transporting.

Besides, there were certain positive correlations among these genes, which suggested that these genes could work together or co-transport amino acids.

These results provided important information from the aspects of tissue distribution and localization about genes of amino acid utilization. At the same time, their findings will also promote the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms of amino acid transporting and improve production performance in growing ruminants.

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, CAS Visiting Professorship for Senior & Young International Scientists, and Hunan Provincial Creation Development Project.

The study entitled "LPAR5, GNAT3 and partial amino acid transporters messenger RNA expression patterns in digestive tracts, metabolic organs and muscle tissues of growing goats" was published in Animal.