Project description:Torpor is an essential evolutionary strategy that allows mammals to conserve resources under extreme environmental conditions. While the hypothalamus is a key regulator of systemic adaptations to energy scarcity and reduced temperature, it remains unclear how the cortex, with its high metabolic demand, endures this state. Here, we performed RNA sequencing on neuronal and non-neuronal nuclei isolated from the cortex of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) across different seasonal and metabolic states. We found that non-neuronal cells primarily adapt during the seasonal transition from summer to winter phenotype, with differential expression of genes linked to circadian rhythm. In contrast, cortical neurons exhibited major transcriptional changes only between normothermia and hypothermia, marked by increased expression of RNA catabolic pathways. Finally, comparison with published hypothalamic datasets revealed distinct transcriptional programs between the cortex and hypothalamus. Together, these findings highlight cell type- and region-specific adaptations that preserve CNS integrity during metabolic depression.
Project description:Prolactin (PRL) is a multifunctional hormone involved in diverse physiological processes, including lactation, reproduction, growth, and renal function. However, its effects on kidney morphology in seasonal mammals remain largely unexplored. The Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus), a seasonally breeding species, exhibits distinct physiological adaptations in response to photoperiod-driven changes in prolactin levels. Previous studies have demonstrated that PRL treatment significantly increases kidney mass, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PRL on kidney morphology and the associated molecular pathways. Histological analysis using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining revealed that PRL treatment significantly increased convoluted tubule width (CTW). To elucidate the molecular basis of these morphological changes, transcriptome analysis was performed, identifying 19 significantly enriched pathways that were negatively correlated with CTW. These findings provide novel insights into the role of PRL in regulating seasonal kidney morphology and highlight key molecular pathways involved in this process.Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of PRL’s role in renal adaptations to seasonal changes, paving the way for future research into the endocrine regulation of kidney structure and function in seasonal mammals.
