In-gel proteomics to verify amylase protein in naked mole-rat and mouse tissue

ABSTRACT: As a subterranean eusocial mammal the naked mole-rat faces a particularly challenging environment characterised by patchily available food, low O2 and high CO2 levels. In response, naked mole-rats have evolved a suite of molecular and physiological adaptations to survive extreme hypoxia. We have previously shown that naked mole-rats can undergo complete anoxia and recover without any apparent damage. Yet, how naked mole-rats rewire their metabolism in the heart has not been comprehensively addressed. Here, we performed comparative analyses of NMR and mouse organs exposed to anoxia and find that naked mole-rat cardiac metabolism is characterised by a liver-like handling of glycogen, including the expression of amylase, a digestive enzyme known for starch breakdown in saliva and intestine and whose biological role in glycogen processing has not been fully recognised. We show that amylase is rapidly activated in ischaemia and hydrolyzes internal glycosidic bonds for more efficient downstream processing. This biochemical adaptation occurs in both mouse and naked mole-rat livers but exclusively in the naked mole-rat heart, which retains higher ATP levels by maintaining an increased glycolytic flux in an amylase-dependent mechanism. Overall, we describe a previously unknown type of glycogen metabolism in the naked mole-rat that holds relevance to pathologies where glycogen plays a role.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Heterocephalus Glaber Mus Musculus (mouse)

TISSUE(S): Heart, Brain, Liver

SUBMITTER: Proteomics Facility  

LAB HEAD: Jane Reznick

PROVIDER: PXD052477 | Pride | 2026-10-02

REPOSITORIES: pride