Bryan E. Luu

The hibernating South American marsupial, Dromiciops gliroides, displays torpor-sensitive microRNA expression patterns

When faced with adverse environmental conditions, the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides uses either daily or seasonal torpor to support survival and is the only known hibernating mammal in South America. As the sole living representative of the ancient Order Microbiotheria, this species can provide crucial information about the evolutionary origins and biochemical mechanisms of hibernation. Hibernation is a complex energy-saving strategy that involves changes in gene expression that are elicited in part by microRNAs. To better elucidate the role of microRNAs in orchestrating hypometabolism, a modified stem-loop technique and quantitative PCR were used to characterize the relative expression levels of 85 microRNAs in liver and skeletal muscle of control and torpid D. gliroides. Thirty-nine microRNAs were differentially regulated during torpor; of these, 35 were downregulated in liver and 11 were differentially expressed in skeletal muscle. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that the downregulated liver microRNAs were associated with activation of MAPK, PI3K-Akt and mTOR pathways, suggesting their importance in facilitating marsupial torpor. In skeletal muscle, hibernation-responsive microRNAs were predicted to regulate focal adhesion, ErbB, and mTOR pathways, indicating a promotion of muscle maintenance mechanisms. These tissue-specific responses suggest that microRNAs regulate key molecular pathways that facilitate hibernation, thermoregulation, and prevention of muscle disuse atrophy.

The regulation of troponins I, C and ANP by GATA4 and Nkx2-5 in heart of hibernating thirteen-lined ground squirrels, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus.

Hibernation is an adaptive strategy used by various mammals to survive the winter under situations of low ambient temperatures and limited or no food availability. The heart of hibernating thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) has the remarkable ability to descend to low, near 0°C temperatures without falling into cardiac arrest. We hypothesized that the transcription factors GATA4 and Nkx2-5 may play a role in cardioprotection by facilitating the expression of key downstream targets such as troponin I, troponin C, and ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide). This study measured relative changes in transcript levels, protein levels, protein post-translational modifications, and transcription factor binding over six stages: euthermic control (EC), entrance into torpor (EN), early torpor (ET), late torpor (LT), early arousal (EA), and interbout arousal (IA). We found differential regulation of GATA4 whereby transcript/protein expression, post-translational modification (phosphorylation of serine 261), and DNA binding were enhanced during the transitory phases (entrance and arousal) of hibernation. Activation of GATA4 was paired with increases in cardiac troponin I, troponin C and ANP protein levels during entrance, while increases in p-GATA4 DNA binding during early arousal was paired with decreases in troponin I and no changes in troponin C and ANP protein levels. Unlike its binding partner, the relative mRNA/protein expression and DNA binding of Nkx2-5 did not change during hibernation. This suggests that either Nkx2-5 does not play a substantial role or other regulatory mechanisms not presently studied (e.g. posttranslational modifications) are important during hibernation. The data suggest a significant role for GATA4-mediated gene transcription in the differential regulation of genes which aid cardiac-specific challenges associated with torpor-arousal.

Analysis of microRNA expression during the torpor-arousal cycle of a mammalian hibernator, the 13-lined ground squirrel.

Hibernation is a highly regulated stress response that is utilized by some mammals to survive harsh winter conditions and involves a complex metabolic reprogramming at the cellular level to maintain tissue protections at low temperature. In this study, we profiled the expression of 117 conserved microRNAs in the heart, muscle, and liver of the 13-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) across four stages of the torpor-arousal cycle (euthermia, early torpor, late torpor, and interbout arousal) by real-time PCR. We found significant differential regulation of numerous microRNAs that were both tissue specific and torpor stage specific. Among the most significant regulated microRNAs was miR-208b, a positive regulator of muscle development that was found to be upregulated by fivefold in the heart during late torpor (13-fold during arousal), while decreased by 3.7-fold in the skeletal muscle, implicating a potential regulatory role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and skeletal muscle atrophy in the ground squirrels during torpor. In addition, the insulin resistance marker miR-181a was upregulated by 5.7-fold in the liver during early torpor, which supports previous suggestions of hyperinsulinemia in hibernators during the early stages of the hibernation cycle. Although microRNA expression profiles were largely unique between the three tissues, GO annotation analysis revealed that the putative targets of upregulated microRNAs tend to enrich toward suppression of progrowth-related processes in all three tissues. These findings implicate microRNAs in the regulation of both tissue-specific processes and general suppression of cell growth during hibernation.

Dehydration triggers differential microRNA expression in Xenopus laevis brain.

African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis, although primarily aquatic, have a high tolerance for dehydration, being capable of withstanding the loss of up to 32-35% of total water body water. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs play a role in the response to dehydration by the liver, kidney and ventral skin of X. laevis. MicroRNAs act by modulating the expression of mRNA transcripts, thereby affecting diverse biochemical pathways. In this study, 43 microRNAs were assessed in frog brains comparing control and dehydrated (31.2±0.83% of total body water lost) conditions. MicroRNAs of interest were measured using a modified protocol which employs polyadenylation of microRNAs prior to reverse transcription and qPCR. Twelve microRNAs that showed a significant decrease in expression (to 41-77% of control levels) in brains from dehydrated frogs (xla-miR-15a, -150, -181a, -191, -211, -218, -219b, -30c, -30e, -31, -34a, and -34b) were identified. Genomic analysis showed that the sequences of these dehydration-responsive microRNAs were highly conserved as compared with the comparable microRNAs of mice (91-100%). Suppression of these microRNAs implies that translation of the mRNA transcripts under their control could be enhanced in response to dehydration. Bioinformatic analysis using the DIANA miRPath program (v.2.0) predicted the top two KEGG pathways that these microRNAs collectively regulate: 1. Axon guidance, and 2. Long-term potentiation. Previous studies indicated that suppression of these microRNAs promotes neuroprotective pathways by increasing the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and activating anti-apoptotic pathways. This suggests that similar actions may be triggered in X. laevis brains as a protective response to dehydration.

Torpor‐responsive expression of novel microRNA regulating metabolism and other cellular pathways in the thirteen‐lined ground squirrel, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus

Research has demonstrated the importance of microRNA in cold‐tolerant animals, including their dynamic regulation throughout mammalian hibernation. In this study, we used small RNA sequencing and bioinformatic methods to identify novel microRNA regulating gene expression during hibernation in thirteen‐lined ground squirrels, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus. A group of 17 novel microRNA was identified, and their relative expression was quantitated using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in liver, skeletal muscle, and heart tissues over four experimental conditions that represent the torpor‐arousal cycle. Predicted mRNA targets of these novel microRNA were found to be enriched in biological processes known to be regulated during hibernation, such as lipid metabolism, ion‐transport ATPases, and various cellular signaling cascades. This study provides an analysis of several novel microRNA that may be crucial to adaptation during hibernation.

Strategies of biochemical adaptation for hibernation in a South American marsupial, Dromiciops gliroides: 2. Control of the Akt pathway and protein translation machinery

When faced with harsh environmental conditions, the South American marsupial, monito del monte (Dromiciops gliroides), reduces its body temperature and uses either daily torpor or multiday hibernation to survive. This study used ELISA and multiplex assays to characterize the responses to hibernation by three regulatory components of protein translation machinery [p-eIF2α(S51), p-eIF4E(S209), p-4EBP(Thr37/46)] and eight targets involved in upstream signaling control of translation [p-IGF-1R(Tyr1135/1136), PTEN(S380), p-Akt(S473), p-GSK-3α(S21), p-GSK-3β(S9), p-TSC2(S939), p-mTOR(S2448), and p70S6K(T412)]. Liver, brain and kidney were analyzed comparing control and hibernation (4days continuous torpor) conditions. In the liver, increased phosphorylation of IGF-1R, Akt, GSK-3β, TSC2, mTOR, eIF2α, and 4EBP (1.60-1.98 fold compared to control) occurred during torpor suggesting that the regulatory phosphorylation cascade and protein synthesis remained active during torpor. However, responses by brain and kidney differed; torpor resulted in increased phosphorylation of GSK-3β (2.15-4.17 fold) and TSC2 (2.03-3.65 fold), but phosphorylated Akt decreased (to 34-62% of control levels). Torpor also led to an increase in phosphorylated eIF2α (1.4 fold) content in the brain. These patterns of differential protein phosphorylation in brain and kidney were indicative of suppression of protein translation but also could suggest an increase in antioxidant and anti-apoptotic signaling during torpor. Previous studies of liver metabolism in hibernating eutherian mammals have shown that Akt kinase and its downstream signaling components play roles in facilitating hypometabolism by suppressing energy expensive anabolic processes during torpor. However, the results in this study reveal differences between eutherian and marsupial hibernators, suggesting alternative actions of liver Akt during torpor.

Strategies of biochemical adaptation for hibernation in a South American marsupial Dromiciops gliroides: 1. Mitogen-activated protein kinases and the cell stress response

Hibernation is a period of torpor and heterothermy that is typically associated with a strong reduction in metabolic rate, global suppression of transcription and translation, and upregulation of various genes/proteins that are central to the cellular stress response such as protein kinases, antioxidants, and heat shock proteins. The current study examined cell signaling cascades in hibernating monito del monte, Dromiciops gliroides, a South American marsupial of the Order Microbiotheria. Responses to hibernation by members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, and their roles in coordinating hibernator metabolism were examined in liver, kidney, heart and brain of control and versus hibernating (4days continuous torpor) D. gliroides. The targets evaluated included key protein kinases in their activated phosphorylated forms (p-ERK/MAPK 1/2, p-MEK1, p-MSK1, p-p38, p-JNK) and related target proteins (p-CREB 2, p-ATF2, p-c-Jun and p-p53). Liver exhibited a strong coordinated response by MAPK members to hibernation with significant increases in protein phosphorylation levels of p-MEK1, p-ERK/MAPK1/2, p-MSK1, p-JNK and target proteins c-Jun, and p-ATF2, all combining to signify a strong activation of MAPK signaling during hibernation. Kidney also showed activation of MAPK cascades with significant increases in p-MEK1, p-ERK/MAPK1/2, p-p38, and p-c-Jun levels in hibernating animals. By contrast, responses by heart and brain indicated reduced MAPK pathway function during torpor with reduced phosphorylation of targets including p-ERK/MAPK 1/2 in both tissues as well as lower p-p38 and p-JNK content in heart. Overall, the data indicate a vital role for MAPK signaling in regulating the cell stress response during marsupial hibernation.

The regulation of heat shock proteins in response to dehydration in Xenopus laevis

African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) endure bouts of severe drought in their natural habitats and survive the loss of approximately 30% of total body water due to dehydration. To investigate molecular mechanisms employed by X. laevis during periods of dehydration, the heat shock protein response, a vital component of the cytoprotective stress response, was characterized. Using western immunoblotting and multiplex technology, the protein levels of HSP27, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70, HSC70, and HSP90 were quantified in the liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, lung, and testes from control frogs and those that underwent medium or high dehydration (~16 or ~30% loss of total body water). Dehydration increased HSP27 (1.45–1.65-fold) in the kidneys and lungs, and HSP40 (1.39–2.50-fold) in the liver, testes, and skeletal muscle. HSP60 decreased in response to dehydration (0.43–0.64 of control) in the kidneys and lungs. HSP70 increased in the liver, lungs, and testes (1.39–1.70-fold) during dehydration, but had a dynamic response in the kidneys (levels increased 1.57-fold with medium dehydration, but decreased to 0.56 of control during high dehydration). HSC70 increased in the liver and kidneys (1.20–1.36-fold), but decreased in skeletal muscle (0.27–0.55 of control) during dehydration. Lastly, HSP90 was reduced in the kidney, lung, and skeletal muscle (0.39–0.69 of control) in response to dehydration, but rose in the testes (1.30-fold). Overall, the results suggest a dynamic tissue-specific heat shock protein response to whole body dehydration in X. laevis.

The roles of hippocampal microRNAs in response to acute postnatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in female and male rats

&NA; Previous studies have shown that di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure impairs the normal development of pre‐ and post‐synaptic elements of the male, but not female, rat hippocampus. While males seem to be vulnerable to the neurodevelopmental deficits resulting from DEHP exposure, females appear to show a protective response. The purpose of the present study was to characterize hippocampal microRNAs in female and male rats exposed to DEHP to assess whether any patterns emerged that would be consistent with vulnerability in males and resilience in females. Male and female rats were treated with 0, 1, 10, or 20 mg/kg of DEHP by intraperitoneal injections from postnatal day 16 (PND16) − PND22 and brains were removed and flash frozen on PND78. A group of 85 microRNAs which have been previously shown to play a role in the development and maintenance of hippocampal neurons was assessed with RT‐qPCR. In response to DEHP exposure, there were 19 microRNAs that increased in females and 52 that decreased in males. The strongest microRNA response in females occurred in conjunction with the 10 mg/kg of DEHP dose, whereas suppression of microRNAs in males appeared to be dose‐dependent. Select hippocampal microRNAs (such as miR‐132‐3p and miR‐191‐5p), previously shown to regulate dendrite morphology, were modulated by DEHP exposure in this study. The results suggest that DEHP exposure has the potential to regulate microRNAs in a sex‐specific manner which may interfere with proper hippocampal development in males and preserve hippocampal development in females. HighlightsFemale CA3 neuron dendrites are resilient to DEHP‐induced effects seen in males.DEHP decreases male hippocampal microRNA levels & increases female microRNA levels.DEHP lowers miR‐132‐3p, ‐191‐5p levels in males, but levels increase in females.MiR‐132‐3p, −191‐5p have been previously shown to regulate dendrite development.DEHP may affect dendrite morphology through sex‐specific regulation of microRNAs.

The role of global histone post-translational modifications during mammalian hibernation

Mammalian hibernators must cope with hypothermia, ischemia-reperfusion, and finite fuel reserves during days or weeks of continuous torpor. One means of lowering ATP demands during hibernation involves substantial transcriptional controls. The present research analyzed epigenetic regulatory factors as a means of achieving transcriptional control over cycles of torpor-arousal. This study analyzes differential regulation of select histone modifications (e.g. phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation), and identifies post-translational modifications on purified histones using mass spectrometry from thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus). Post-translational modifications on histone proteins were responsive to torpor-arousal, suggesting a potential mechanism to dynamically alter chromatin structure. Furthermore, proteomic sequencing data of ground squirrel histones identified lysine 19 and 24 acetylation on histone H3, while acetylation sites identified on H2B were lysine 6, 47, 110, and 117. The present study provides a new glimpse into the epigenetic mechanisms which may play a role in transcriptional regulation during mammalian hibernation.