The role of MEF2 transcription factors in dehydration and anoxia survival in Rana sylvatica skeletal muscle.

ABSTRACT: The wood frog (Rana sylvatica) can endure freezing of up to 65% of total body water during winter. When frozen, wood frogs enter a dormant state characterized by a cessation of vital functions (i.e., no heartbeat, blood circulation, breathing, brain activity, or movement). Wood frogs utilize various behavioural and biochemical adaptations to survive extreme freezing and component anoxia and dehydration stresses, including a global suppression of metabolic functions and gene expression. The stress-responsive myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) transcription factor family regulates the selective expression of genes involved in glucose transport, protein quality control, and phosphagen homeostasis. This study examined the role of MEF2A and MEF2C proteins as well as select downstream targets (glu

SUBMITTER: Hoyeck MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5682099 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature