Comparative functional genomics of adaptation to muscular disuse in hibernating mammals (black bears)

ABSTRACT: Hibernation is energy saving adaptation involving suppression of activity to survive in highly seasonal environments. Immobility and disuse generate muscle loss in most mammalian species. In contrast to other mammals, bears and ground squirrels demonstrate limited muscle atrophy over the physical inactivity of winter hibernation. This suggests that hibernating mammals have adaptive mechanisms to prevent disuse muscle atrophy. To identify common transcriptional program underlying molecular mechanisms preventing muscle loss, we conducted a large-scale gene expression screening in hind limb muscles comparing hibernating and summer active black bears and arctic ground squirrels by the use of custom 9,600 probe cDNA microarrays. The molecular pathway analysis showed an elevated proportion of ov

ORGANISM(S): Ursus americanus

SUBMITTER: Haifang Wang 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-62220 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress