Identification of a 115kDa MAP-kinase activated by freezing and anoxic stresses in the marine periwinkle, Littorina littorea

Insect cold hardiness: the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt signalling in freeze avoiding larvae of the goldenrod gall moth, Epiblema scudderiana

Larvae of the goldenrod gall moth, Epiblema scudderiana, use the freeze avoidance strategy of cold hardiness to survive the winter. Here we report that protein kinase-dependent signal transduction featuring mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling cascades (extracellular signal regulated kinase, c-jun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAPK pathways) and the Akt (also known as protein kinase B, or PKB) pathway could be integral parts of the development of cold hardiness by E. scudderiana. We used Luminex technology to assess the protein levels and phosphorylation status of key components and downstream targets of those pathways in larvae in response to low temperature acclimation. The data showed that MAPK pathways (both total protein and phosphorylated MAPK targets) were inhibited after 5°C acclimation, but not -15°C exposure, as compared with the 15°C control group. However, total heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) levels increased dramatically by ∼12-fold in the -15°C acclimated insects. Elevated HSP27 may facilitate anti-apoptotic mechanisms in an Akt-dependent fashion. By contrast, both 5 and -15°C acclimation produced signs of Akt pathway activation. In particular, the inhibitor phosphorylated Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3a (p-GSK3) levels remained high in cold-exposed larvae. Additionally, activation of the Akt pathway might also facilitate inhibition of apoptosis independently of GSK3. Overall, the current study indicates that both MAPK and Akt signal transduction may play essential roles in freeze avoidance by E. scudderiana.

Oxygen- and temperature-dependent expression of survival protein kinases in crucian carp (Carassius carassius) heart and brain

Living without oxygen is limited to very few vertebrates, one species being the fresh water fish crucian carp (Carassius carassius), which can survive months of anoxia at low temperatures. Mammalian heart and brain are particularly intolerant to oxygen deprivation, yet these organs can be conditioned to display increased resistance, possibly due to activation of several protein kinases. We hypothesized increased phosphorylation status of these kinases in hypoxic and anoxic crucian carp heart and brain. Moreover, we wanted to investigate whether the kinases showing the strongest phosphorylation during hypoxia/anoxia, ERK 1/2, p38-MAPK, JNK, PKCε, and PKCδ, also had increased expression and phosphorylation at cold temperatures, to better cope with the anoxic periods during winter. We found small differences in the phosphorylation status of ERK 1/2, p38-MAPK, JNK, PKCε, and PKCδ during 10 days of severe hypoxia in both heart and brain (0.3 mg O₂/l) and varying responses to reoxygenation. In contrast, 7 days of anoxia (<0.01 mg O₂/l) markedly increased phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, p38-MAPK, JNK in the heart, and p38-MAPK and PKCε in the brain. Similarly, varying acclimation temperature between 4, 10 and 20°C induced large changes in phosphorylation status. Total protein expression in heart and brain neither changed during different oxygen regimes nor with different acclimation temperatures, except for ERK 1/2, which slightly decreased in the heart at 4°C compared with 20°C. A phylogenetic analysis confirmed that these protein kinases are evolutionarily conserved across a wide range of vertebrate species. Our findings indicate important roles of several protein kinases during oxygen deprivation.

Metabolic mechanisms for anoxia tolerance and freezing survival in the intertidal gastropod, Littorina littorea

The gastropod mollusk, Littorina littorea L., is a common inhabitant of the intertidal zone along rocky coastlines of the north Atlantic. This species has well-developed anoxia tolerance and freeze tolerance and is extensively used as a model for exploring the biochemical adaptations that support these tolerances as well as for toxicological studies aimed at identifying effective biomarkers of aquatic pollution. This article highlights our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in anaerobiosis and freezing survival of periwinkles, particularly with respect to anoxia-induced metabolic rate depression. Analysis of foot muscle and hepatopancreas metabolism includes anoxia-responsive changes in enzyme regulation, signal transduction, gene expression, post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA, control of translation, and cytoprotective strategies including chaperones and antioxidant defenses. New studies describe the regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase by reversible protein phosphorylation, the role of microRNAs in suppressing mRNA translation in the hypometabolic state, modulation of glutathione S-transferase isozyme patterns, and the regulation of the unfolded protein response.

Adjustment of metabolite composition in the haemolymph to seasonal variations in the land snail Helix pomatia

In temperate regions, land snails are subjected to subzero temperatures in winter and hot temperatures often associated to drought in summer. The response to these environmental factors is usually a state of inactivity, hibernation and aestivation, respectively, in a temperature and humidity buffered refuge, accompanied by physiological adjustments to resist cold or heat stress. We investigated how environmental factors in the microhabitat and body condition influence the metabolite composition of haemolymph of the endangered species Helix pomatia. We used UPLC and GC-MS techniques and analyzed annual biochemical variations in a multivariate model. Hibernation and activity months differed in metabolite composition. Snails used photoperiod as cue for seasonal climatic variations to initiate a physiological state and were also highly sensitive to temperature variations, therefore constantly adjusting their physiological processes. Galactose levels gave evidence for the persistence of metabolic activity with energy expenditure during hibernation and for high reproductive activity in June. Triglycerides accumulated prior to hibernation might act as cryoprotectants or energy reserves. During the last month of hibernation snails activated physiological processes related to arousal. During activity, protein metabolism was reflected by high amino acid level. An exceptional aestivation period was observed in April giving evidence for heat stress responses, like the protection of cells from dehydration by polyols and saccharides, the membrane stabilization by cholesterol and enhanced metabolism using the anaerobic succinic acid pathway to sustain costly stress responses. In conclusion, physiological adjustments to environmental variations in Helix pomatia involve water loss regulation, cryoprotectant or heatprotectant accumulation.

Thermal sensitivity of mitochondrial respiration efficiency and protein phosphorylation in the clam Mercenaria mercenaria

The mitochondria of intertidal invertebrates continue to function when organisms are exposed to rapid substantial shifts in temperature. To test if mitochondrial physiology of the clam Mercenaria mercenaria is compromised under elevated temperatures, we measured mitochondrial respiration efficiency at 15 degrees C, 18 degrees C, and 21 degrees C using a novel, high-throughput, microplate respirometry methodology developed for this study. Though phosphorylating (state 3) and resting (state 4) respiration rates were unaffected over this temperature range, respiratory control ratios (RCRs: ratio of state 3 to state 4 respiration rates) decreased significantly above 18 degrees C (p < 0.05). The drop in RCR was not associated with reduction of phosphorylation efficiency, suggesting that, while aerobic scope of mitochondrial respiration is limited at elevated temperatures, mitochondria continue to efficiently produce adenosine triphosphate. We further investigated the response of clam mitochondria to elevated temperatures by monitoring phosphorylation of mitochondrial protein. Three proteins clearly demonstrated significant time- and temperature-specific phosphorylation patterns. The protein-specific patterns of phosphorylation may suggest that a suite of protein kinases and phosphatases regulate mitochondrial physiology in response to temperature. Thus, while aerobic scope of clam mitochondrial respiration is reduced at moderate temperatures, specific protein phosphorylation responses reflect large shifts in function that are initiated within the organelle at higher temperatures.