A New Regulatory Protein Expressed in Hibernating Mammals
Abstract
Hibernating mammals provide a unique system for identifying molecules important in regulating metabolism, body temperature, and sleep. In a state of deep hibernation, body temperature is only a few degrees above 0 deg C and heart rate can be as low as 3-10 beats/min, compared to 200-300 beats/min when the animal is awake and active. We have identified genes that are responsible for regulating the physiological characteristics of hibernation in the thirteen-lined ground squirrel Spermophilus tridecemlineatus. In our screen we identified a new protein, CADp44. Based on our findings using yeast genetics and amino acid sequence homology, we showed that CADp44 is a regulatory sub-unit of the 26S proteasome. Over the final two years of the project we have: (1) Isolated additional cDNAs from the heart that are specific for entry into hibernation and long-term maintenance of the hibernating state. (2) Confirmed the specificity of differentially expressed mRNAs and determined the sequence of cDNA fragments that have been shown to be specifically up-regulated or down-regulated during these processes. (3) Begun to develop physiological as says based on this information.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA385913
Entities
People
- Matthew T Andrews
Organizations
- North Carolina State University