Transcriptional changes and preservation of bone mass in hibernating black bears.

ABSTRACT: Physical inactivity leads to losses of bone mass and strength in most mammalian species. In contrast, hibernating bears show no bone loss over the prolonged periods (4-6 months) of immobility during winter, which suggests that they have adaptive mechanisms to preserve bone mass. To identify transcriptional changes that underlie molecular mechanisms preventing disuse osteoporosis, we conducted a large-scale gene expression screening in the trabecular bone and bone marrow, comparing hibernating and summer active bears through sequencing of the transcriptome. Gene set enrichment analysis showed a coordinated down-regulation of genes involved in bone resorption, osteoclast differentiation and signaling, and apoptosis during hibernation. These findings are consistent with previous histological

SUBMITTER: Goropashnaya AV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8050052 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature