The Effect of G0S2 Gene Knockout on the Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Differentiation of Chicken Preadipocytes

The G0/G1 switch gene 2 (<i>G0S2</i>) has been shown to be involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation in mammals. However, its function in poultry is not fully understood, especially in preadipocytes of chickens. This study aimed to establish a <i>G0S2</i> knockout preadipocyte cell line in chickens through CRISPR/Cas9 technology and to thoroughly investigate the impact of <i>G0S2</i> on chicken preadipocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. To explore the involvement of <i>G0S2</i> in chicken preadipocyte growth and development, transcriptome sequencing was performed. The results demonstrated that <i>G0S2</i> was successfully deleted using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. <i>G0S2</i> knockout significantly inhibited the differentiation of chicken preadipocytes while promoting their proliferation. Additionally, although <i>G0S2</i> knockout exhibited a pro-apoptotic effect, it was relatively mild, primarily reflected in an increased proportion of early apoptotic cells. <i>G0S2</i> deletion significantly affected the expression of important genes related to lipid metabolism, cell cycle control, and signaling pathways, based on transcriptomic analysis. In conclusion, our findings suggest that <i>G0S2</i> performs a critical role in regulating chicken preadipocyte differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. This research offers valuable new insights into the molecular mechanisms and control of <i>G0S2</i> in the growth and development of chicken preadipocytes.