Seasonal changes in adenosine kinase in tanycytes of the Arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii).

ABSTRACT: Hibernation is a seasonal strategy to conserve energy, characterized by modified thermoregulation, an increase in sleep pressure and drastic metabolic changes. Glial cells such as astrocytes and tanycytes are the brain metabolic sensors, but it remains unknown whether they contribute to seasonal expression of hibernation. The onset of hibernation is controlled by an undefined endogenous circannual rhythm in which adenosine plays a role through the activation of the A₁ adenosine receptor (A₁AR). Seasonal changes in brain levels of adenosine may contribute to an increase in A₁AR sensitivity leading to the onset of hibernation. The primary regulator of extracellular adenosine concentration is adenosine kinase, which is located in astrocytes. Using immunohistoc

SUBMITTER: Frare C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8091519 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature