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RNA-sequencing Reveals Altered Gene Expression in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Following Predator Odor Exposure

ABSTRACT: It is unknown how the VMH regulates skeletal muscle metabolism and predator threat responses, or potential interactions between these. Because skeletal muscle has a great capacity for increasing energy expenditure and is rapidly activated by PO, understanding how the VMH regulates this process could uncover novel targets for obesity treatments. Due to lack of investigation, we sought to provide a foundation for mechanistic exploration. We report transcriptome-wide alterations of the VMH following PO exposure. Our results uncovered novel functional relationships among genes that can now be probed to better understand the dual processing role of the VMH in skeletal muscle metabolism and predator-threat responses.

ORGANISM(S): Rattus norvegicus

PROVIDER: GSE142617 | GEO | 2020/06/06

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of one genotype to express different phenotypes in response to changing environmental conditions, is one of the most common phenomena characterising the living world and is not only relevant for the ecology but also for the evolution of species. Daphnia, the waterflea, is a textbook example for predator induced phenotypic plastic defences including changes in life-history, behaviour and morphology. However, the analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying these inducible defences is still in its early stages. We exposed Daphnia magna to chemical cues of the predator Triops cancriformis to identify key processes underlying plastic defensive trait formation. D. magna is known to develop an array of morphological changes in the presence of T. cancriformis including changes of carapace morphology and cuticle hardening. To get a more comprehensive idea of this phenomenon, we studied four different genotypes originating from habitats with different predation history, reaching from predator-free to temporary habitats containing T. cancriformis. We analysed the morphologies as well as proteomes of predator-exposed and control animals. Three genotypes showed morphological changes when the predator was present. Using a high-throughput proteomics approach, we found 294 proteins which were significantly altered in their abundance after predator exposure in a general or genotype dependant manner. Proteins connected to genotype dependant responses were related to the cuticle, protein synthesis and calcium binding whereas the yolk protein vitellogenin increased in abundance in all genotypes, indicating their involvement in a more general response. Furthermore, genotype dependant responses at the proteome level correlated well with local adaptation to Triops predation. Altogether, our study provides new insights concerning genotype dependant and general molecular processes involved in predator-induced phenotypic plasticity in D. magna.

Dataset Information

RNA-sequencing Reveals Altered Gene Expression in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Following Predator Odor Exposure

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