Differential Gene Expression in Mammalian Liver During Hibernation.
Abstract
Hibernation in mammals lead to profound reductions in metabolic, heart, and respiratory rates, as well as body temperature. The physiological events that lead to hibernation are precisely controlled, yet little is known about how these events are orchestrated at the molecular level. The first step toward a detailed molecular understanding of hibernation is to isolate and identify gene products that are uniquely expressed during hibernation. Liver was chosen to begin such a study because of its primary role in homeostasis; this role is likely to be critical during the physiological extremes experienced during hibernation. We used both a specific and a general approach to examine liver gene expression during hibernation. Alpha-2-macroglobulin, a broad-spectrum protease inhibitor, is expressed at elevated levels during hibernation. Because alpha- 2-macroglobulin is an acute phase reactant in some species, we asked whether the acute phase response of the liver is a normal part of the biochemical events necessary for hibernation. In order to examine the general features of differential gene expression in the liver during hibernation, we used a subtractive hybridization approach to isolate and characterize cDNAs corresponding to genes that are induced in the hibernating state.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 23, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA296019
Entities
People
- Sandra L. Martin
Organizations
- University of Colorado Health