Seasonal oscillation of liver-derived hibernation protein complex in the central nervous system of non-hibernating mammals.

ABSTRACT: Mammalian hibernation elicits profound changes in whole-body physiology. The liver-derived hibernation protein (HP) complex, consisting of HP-20, HP-25 and HP-27, was shown to oscillate circannually, and this oscillation in the central nervous system (CNS) was suggested to play a role in hibernation. The HP complex has been found in hibernating chipmunks but not in related non-hibernating tree squirrels, leading to the suggestion that hibernation-specific genes may underlie the origin of hibernation. Here, we show that non-hibernating mammals express and regulate the conserved homologous HP complex in a seasonal manner, independent of hibernation. Comparative analyses of cow and chipmunk HPs revealed extensive biochemical and structural conservations. These include liver-specific expressio

SUBMITTER: Seldin MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4117459 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature