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Ojaghi M, Pamenter ME. Hypoxia impairs blood glucose homeostasis in naked mole-rat adult subordinates but not queens. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb247537. [PMID: 38680085 PMCID: PMC11166464 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs) are among the most hypoxia-tolerant mammals and metabolize only carbohydrates in hypoxia. Glucose is the primary building block of dietary carbohydrates, but how blood glucose is regulated during hypoxia has not been explored in NMRs. We hypothesized that NMRs mobilize glucose stores to support anaerobic energy metabolism in hypoxia. To test this, we treated newborn, juvenile and adult (subordinate and queen) NMRs in normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (7, 5 or 3% O2), while measuring metabolic rate, body temperature and blood [glucose]. We also challenged animals with glucose, insulin or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) injections and measured the rate of glucose clearance in normoxia and hypoxia. We found that: (1) blood [glucose] increases in moderate hypoxia in queens and pups, but only in severe hypoxia in adult subordinates and juveniles; (2) glucose tolerance is similar between developmental stages in normoxia, but glucose clearance times are 2- to 3-fold longer in juveniles and subordinates than in queens or pups in hypoxia; and (3) reoxygenation accelerates glucose clearance in hypoxic subordinate adults. Mechanistically, (4) insulin and IGF-1 reduce blood [glucose] in subordinates in both normoxia but only IGF-1 impacts blood [glucose] in hypoxic queens. Our results indicate that insulin signaling is impaired by hypoxia in NMRs, but that queens utilize IGF-1 to overcome this limitation and effectively regulate blood glucose in hypoxia. This suggests that sexual maturation impacts blood glucose handling in hypoxic NMR queens, which may allow queens to spend longer periods of time in hypoxic nest chambers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ojaghi
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1N 9A7
| | - Matthew E. Pamenter
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1N 9A7
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1H 8M5
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Devereaux MEM, Pamenter ME. Adenosine and γ-aminobutyric acid partially regulate metabolic and ventilatory responses of Damaraland mole-rats to acute hypoxia. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb246186. [PMID: 37694288 PMCID: PMC10565114 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Fossorial Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis) mount a robust hypoxic metabolic response (HMR) but a blunted hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) to acute hypoxia. Although these reflex physiological responses have been described previously, the underlying signalling pathways are entirely unknown. Of particular interest are contributions from γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system of most adult mammals, and adenosine, the accumulation of which increases during hypoxia as a breakdown product of ATP. Therefore, we hypothesized that GABAergic and/or adenosinergic signalling contributes to the blunted HVR and robust HMR in Damaraland mole-rats. To test this hypothesis, we injected adult animals with saline alone (controls), or 100 mg kg-1 aminophylline or 1 mg kg-1 bicuculline, to block adenosine or GABAA receptors, respectively. We then used respirometry, plethysmography and thermal RFID probes to non-invasively measure metabolic, ventilator and thermoregulatory responses, respectively, to acute hypoxia (1 h in 5 or 7% O2) in awake and freely behaving animals. We found that bicuculline had relatively minor effects on metabolism and thermoregulation but sensitized ventilation such that the HVR became manifest at 7% instead of 5% O2 and was greater in magnitude. Aminophylline increased metabolic rate, ventilation and body temperature in normoxia, and augmented the HMR and HVR. Taken together, these findings indicate that adenosinergic and GABAergic signalling play important roles in mediating the robust HMR and blunted HVR in Damaraland mole-rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew E. Pamenter
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
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Devereaux MEM, Chiasson S, Brennan KF, Pamenter ME. The glutamatergic drive to breathe is reduced in severe but not moderate hypoxia in Damaraland mole-rats. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb246185. [PMID: 37589556 PMCID: PMC10565110 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis) are a hypoxia-tolerant fossorial species that exhibit a robust hypoxic metabolic response (HMR) and blunted hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR). Whereas the HVR of most adult mammals is mediated by increased excitatory glutamatergic signalling, naked mole-rats, which are closely related to Damaraland mole-rats, do not utilize this pathway. Given their phylogenetic relationship and similar lifestyles, we hypothesized that the signalling mechanisms underlying physiological responses to acute hypoxia in Damaraland mole-rats are like those of naked mole-rats. To test this, we used pharmacological antagonists of glutamatergic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), combined with plethysmography, respirometry and thermal RFID chips, to non-invasively evaluate the role of excitatory AMPAR and NMDAR signalling in mediating ventilatory, metabolic and thermoregulatory responses, respectively, to 1 h of 5 or 7% O2. We found that AMPAR or NMDAR antagonism have minimal impacts on the HMR or hypoxia-mediated changes in thermoregulation. Conversely, the 'blunted' HVR of Damaraland mole-rats is reduced by either AMPAR or NMDAR antagonism such that the onset of the HVR occurs in less severe hypoxia. In more severe hypoxia, antagonists have no impact, suggesting that these receptors are already inhibited. Together, these findings indicate that the glutamatergic drive to breathe decreases in Damaraland mole-rats exposed to severe hypoxia. These findings differ from other adult mammals, in which the glutamatergic drive to breathe increases with hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Chiasson
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Kate F. Brennan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Matthew E. Pamenter
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
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Oka K, Yamakawa M, Kawamura Y, Kutsukake N, Miura K. The Naked Mole-Rat as a Model for Healthy Aging. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2023; 11:207-226. [PMID: 36318672 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-050322-074744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs, Heterocephalus glaber) are the longest-lived rodents with a maximum life span exceeding 37 years. They exhibit a delayed aging phenotype and resistance to age-related functional decline/diseases. Specifically, they do not display increased mortality with age, maintain several physiological functions until nearly the end of their lifetime, and rarely develop cancer and Alzheimer's disease. NMRs live in a hypoxic environment in underground colonies in East Africa and are highly tolerant of hypoxia. These unique characteristics of NMRs have attracted considerable interest from zoological and biomedical researchers. This review summarizes previous studies of the ecology, hypoxia tolerance, longevity/delayed aging, and cancer resistance of NMRs and discusses possible mechanisms contributing to their healthy aging. In addition, we discuss current issues and future perspectives to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying delayed aging and resistance to age-related diseases in NMRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Oka
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , ,
| | - Masanori Yamakawa
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan; ,
| | - Yoshimi Kawamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , ,
| | - Nobuyuki Kutsukake
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan; , .,Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kyoko Miura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , , .,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Peng Y, Nanduri J, Wang N, Khan SA, Pamenter M, Prabhakar NR. Carotid body responses to O 2 and CO 2 in hypoxia-tolerant naked mole rats. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2022; 236:e13851. [PMID: 35757963 PMCID: PMC9787741 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
AIM Naked mole rats (NMRs) exhibit blunted hypoxic (HVR) and hypercapnic ventilatory responses (HCVR). The mechanism(s) underlying these responses are largely unknown. We hypothesized that attenuated carotid body (CB) sensitivity to hypoxia and hypercapnia contributes to the near absence of ventilatory responses to hypoxia and CO2 in NMRs. METHODS We measured ex vivo CB sensory nerve activity, phrenic nerve activity (an estimation of ventilation), and blood gases in urethane-anesthetized NMRs and C57BL/6 mice breathing normoxic, hypoxic, or hypercapnic gases. CB morphology, carbon monoxide, and H2 S levels were also determined. RESULTS Relative to mice, NMRs had blunted CB and HVR. Morphologically, NMRs have larger CBs, which contained more glomus cells than in mice. Furthermore, NMR glomus cells form a dispersed pattern compared to a clustered pattern in mice. Hemeoxygenase (HO)-1 mRNA was elevated in NMR CBs, and an HO inhibitor increased CB sensitivity to hypoxia in NMRs. This increase was blocked by an H2 S synthesis inhibitor, suggesting that interrupted gas messenger signaling contributes to the blunted CB responses and HVR in NMRs. Regarding hypercapnia, CB and ventilatory responses to CO2 in NMRs were larger than in mice. Carbonic anhydrase (CA)-2 mRNA is elevated in NMR CBs, and a CA inhibitor blocked the augmented CB response to CO2 in NMRs, indicating CA activity regulates augmented CB response to CO2 . CONCLUSIONS Consistent with our hypothesis, impaired CB responses to hypoxia contribute in part to the blunted HVR in NMRs. Conversely, the HCVR and CB are more sensitive to CO2 in NMRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying‐Jie Peng
- Institute for Integrative Physiology and Center for Systems Biology of O2 SensingUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Jayasri Nanduri
- Institute for Integrative Physiology and Center for Systems Biology of O2 SensingUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Ning Wang
- Institute for Integrative Physiology and Center for Systems Biology of O2 SensingUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Shakil A. Khan
- Institute for Integrative Physiology and Center for Systems Biology of O2 SensingUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Matthew E. Pamenter
- Department of BiologyUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada,University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Nanduri R. Prabhakar
- Institute for Integrative Physiology and Center for Systems Biology of O2 SensingUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
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D’Alessio S, Cheng H, Eaton L, Kraev I, Pamenter ME, Lange S. Acute Hypoxia Alters Extracellular Vesicle Signatures and the Brain Citrullinome of Naked Mole-Rats (Heterocephalus glaber). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094683. [PMID: 35563075 PMCID: PMC9100269 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be indicative biomarkers of physiological and pathological status and adaptive responses, including to diseases and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and related to hypoxia. While these markers have been studied in hypoxia-intolerant mammals, in vivo investigations in hypoxia-tolerant species are lacking. Naked mole-rats (NMR) are among the most hypoxia-tolerant mammals and are thus a good model organism for understanding natural and beneficial adaptations to hypoxia. Thus, we aimed to reveal CNS related roles for PADs in hypoxia tolerance and identify whether circulating EV signatures may reveal a fingerprint for adaptive whole-body hypoxia responses in this species. We found that following in vivo acute hypoxia, NMR: (1) plasma-EVs were remodelled, (2) whole proteome EV cargo contained more protein hits (including citrullinated proteins) and a higher number of associated KEGG pathways relating to the total proteome of plasma-EVs Also, (3) brains had a trend for elevation in PAD1, PAD3 and PAD6 protein expression, while PAD2 and PAD4 were reduced, while (4) the brain citrullinome had a considerable increase in deiminated protein hits with hypoxia (1222 vs. 852 hits in normoxia). Our findings indicate that circulating EV signatures are modified and proteomic content is reduced in hypoxic conditions in naked mole-rats, including the circulating EV citrullinome, while the brain citrullinome is elevated and modulated in response to hypoxia. This was further reflected in elevation of some PADs in the brain tissue following acute hypoxia treatment. These findings indicate a possible selective role for PAD-isozymes in hypoxia response and tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania D’Alessio
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6 UW, UK;
| | - Hang Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (H.C.); (L.E.); (M.E.P.)
| | - Liam Eaton
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (H.C.); (L.E.); (M.E.P.)
| | - Igor Kraev
- Electron Microscopy Suite, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK;
| | - Matthew E. Pamenter
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (H.C.); (L.E.); (M.E.P.)
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Sigrun Lange
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6 UW, UK;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)-20-7911-5000 (ext. 64832)
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Hypoxia is one of the strongest environmental drivers of cellular and physiological adaptation. Although most mammals are largely intolerant of hypoxia, some specialized species have evolved mitigative strategies to tolerate hypoxic niches. Among the most hypoxia-tolerant mammals are naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber), a eusocial species of subterranean rodent native to eastern Africa. In hypoxia, naked mole-rats maintain consciousness and remain active despite a robust and rapid suppression of metabolic rate, which is mediated by numerous behavioural, physiological and cellular strategies. Conversely, hypoxia-intolerant mammals and most other hypoxia-tolerant mammals cannot achieve the same degree of metabolic savings while staying active in hypoxia and must also increase oxygen supply to tissues, and/or enter torpor. Intriguingly, recent studies suggest that naked mole-rats share many cellular strategies with non-mammalian vertebrate champions of anoxia tolerance, including the use of alternative metabolic end-products and potent pH buffering mechanisms to mitigate cellular acidification due to upregulation of anaerobic metabolic pathways, rapid mitochondrial remodelling to favour increased respiratory efficiency, and systemic shifts in energy prioritization to maintain brain function over that of other tissues. Herein, I discuss what is known regarding adaptations of naked mole-rats to a hypoxic lifestyle, and contrast strategies employed by this species to those of hypoxia-intolerant mammals, closely related African mole-rats, other well-studied hypoxia-tolerant mammals, and non-mammalian vertebrate champions of anoxia tolerance. I also discuss the neotenic theory of hypoxia tolerance – a leading theory that may explain the evolutionary origins of hypoxia tolerance in mammals – and highlight promising but underexplored avenues of hypoxia-related research in this fascinating model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E. Pamenter
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1N 9A7. University of Ottawa, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1H 8M5
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Hadj-Moussa H, Chiasson S, Cheng H, Eaton L, Storey KB, Pamenter ME. MicroRNA-mediated inhibition of AMPK coordinates tissue-specific downregulation of skeletal muscle metabolism in hypoxic naked mole-rats. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:271234. [PMID: 34374781 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats reduce their metabolic requirements to tolerate severe hypoxia. However, the regulatory mechanisms that underpin this metabolic suppression have yet to be elucidated. 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the cellular 'master' energy effector and we hypothesized that alterations in the AMPK pathway contribute to metabolic reorganization in hypoxic naked mole-rat skeletal muscle. To test this hypothesis, we exposed naked mole-rats to 4 h of normoxia (21% O2) or severe hypoxia (3% O2), while indirectly measuring whole-animal metabolic rate and fuel preference. We then isolated skeletal muscle and assessed protein expression and post-translational modification of AMPK, and downstream changes in key glucose and fatty acid metabolic proteins mediated by AMPK, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1), glycogen synthase (GS) and glucose transporters (GLUTs) 1 and 4. We found that in hypoxic naked mole-rats (1) metabolic rate decreased ∼80% and fuel use switched to carbohydrates, and that (2) levels of activated phosphorylated AMPK and GS, and GLUT4 expression were downregulated in skeletal muscle, while ACC1 was unchanged. To explore the regulatory mechanism underlying this hypometabolic state, we used RT-qPCR to examine 55 AMPK-associated microRNAs (miRNAs), which are short non-coding RNA post-transcriptional silencers. We identified changes in 10 miRNAs (three upregulated and seven downregulated) implicated in AMPK downregulation. Our results suggest that miRNAs and post-translational mechanisms coordinately reduce AMPK activity and downregulate metabolism in naked mole-rat skeletal muscle during severe hypoxia. This novel mechanism may support tissue-specific prioritization of energy for more essential organs in hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanane Hadj-Moussa
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1S 5B6
| | - Sarah Chiasson
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1N 9A7
| | - Hang Cheng
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1N 9A7
| | - Liam Eaton
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1N 9A7
| | - Kenneth B Storey
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1S 5B6
| | - Matthew E Pamenter
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1N 9A7.,Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1H 8M5
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9
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Vejmělka F, Okrouhlík J, Lövy M, Šaffa G, Nevo E, Bennett NC, Šumbera R. Heat dissipation in subterranean rodents: the role of body region and social organisation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2029. [PMID: 33479351 PMCID: PMC7820455 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81404-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The relatively warm and very humid environment of burrows presents a challenge for thermoregulation of its mammalian inhabitants. It was found that African mole-rats dissipate body heat mainly through their venter, and social mole-rats dissipate more body heat compared to solitary species at lower temperatures. In addition, the pattern of the ventral surface temperature was suggested to be homogeneous in social mole-rats compared to a heterogeneous pattern in solitary mole-rats. To investigate this for subterranean rodents generally, we measured the surface temperatures of seven species with different degrees of sociality, phylogeny, and climate using infrared thermography. In all species, heat dissipation occurred mainly through the venter and the feet. Whereas the feet dissipated body heat at higher ambient temperatures and conserved it at lower ambient temperatures, the ventral surface temperature was relatively high in all temperatures indicating that heat dissipation to the environment through this body region is regulated mainly by behavioural means. Solitary species dissipated less heat through their dorsum than social species, and a tendency for this pattern was observed for the venter. The pattern of heterogeneity of surface temperature through the venter was not related to sociality of the various species. Our results demonstrate a general pattern of body heat exchange through the three studied body regions in subterranean rodents. Besides, isolated individuals of social species are less able to defend themselves against low ambient temperatures, which may handicap them if staying alone for a longer period, such as during and after dispersal events.
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Affiliation(s)
- František Vejmělka
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Okrouhlík
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Matěj Lövy
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriel Šaffa
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Eviatar Nevo
- Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nigel Charles Bennett
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Radim Šumbera
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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10
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Pamenter ME, Uysal-Onganer P, Huynh KW, Kraev I, Lange S. Post-Translational Deimination of Immunological and Metabolic Protein Markers in Plasma and Extracellular Vesicles of Naked Mole-Rat ( Heterocephalus glaber). Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5378. [PMID: 31671738 PMCID: PMC6862702 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Naked mole-rats are long-lived animals that show unusual resistance to hypoxia, cancer and ageing. Protein deimination is an irreversible post-translational modification caused by the peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) family of enzymes, which convert arginine into citrulline in target proteins. Protein deimination can cause structural and functional protein changes, facilitating protein moonlighting, but also leading to neo-epitope generation and effects on gene regulation. Furthermore, PADs have been found to regulate cellular release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are lipid-vesicles released from cells as part of cellular communication. EVs carry protein and genetic cargo and are indicative biomarkers that can be isolated from most body fluids. This study was aimed at profiling deiminated proteins in plasma and EVs of naked mole-rat. Key immune and metabolic proteins were identified to be post-translationally deiminated, with 65 proteins specific for plasma, while 42 proteins were identified to be deiminated in EVs only. Using protein-protein interaction network analysis, deiminated plasma proteins were found to belong to KEEG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways of immunity, infection, cholesterol and drug metabolism, while deiminated proteins in EVs were also linked to KEEG pathways of HIF-1 signalling and glycolysis. The mole-rat EV profiles showed a poly-dispersed population of 50-300 nm, similar to observations of human plasma. Furthermore, the EVs were assessed for three key microRNAs involved in cancer, inflammation and hypoxia. The identification of post-translational deimination of critical immunological and metabolic markers contributes to the current understanding of protein moonlighting functions, via post-translational changes, in the longevity and cancer resistance of naked mole-rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Pamenter
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6 UW, UK.
| | - Kenny W Huynh
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Igor Kraev
- Electron Microscopy Suite, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK.
| | - Sigrun Lange
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6 UW, UK.
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