Molecular characterization, tissue expression profile, and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of the periostin gene in swine.

Periostin, also called osteoblast-specific factor 2, is an important regulator of bone, cardiac development, and wound healing. A recent study revealed that periostin plays an important role in tumor development and is upregulated in a wide variety of cancers. However, little is known about periostin in swine. Therefore, the cDNA sequence of the porcine periostin gene was obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). One C/T single nucleotide polymorphism anchored in intron 9 was identified and genotyped by PCR-RFLP-HaeIII. In Daweizi, Shaziling, Ningxiang, Taoyuan, Wuzhishan, Landrace, and Yorkshire pigs, the C allele was dominant, while the T allele was dominant in the Duroc pig. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that the periostin gene was expressed in all examined tissues from 25-day-old Shaziling and Yorkshire piglets, with mRNA expression in the longissimus dorsi muscle being the highest in these two breeds, and that in the kidney and lungs being the lowest. There was a significant difference in periostin gene expression in the intestines, heart, and spleen (P < 0.05). These findings might contribute to our understanding of the function of periostin in swine.