Analysis of gene structures and promoter activities of the chipmunk α1-antitrypsin-like genes

Nakazawa, Asako; Inaba, Yoko; Kamijima, Atsuko; Kondo, Noriaki; Ito, Michihiko; Shiba, Tadayoshi; Takamatsu, Nobuhiko

doi:10.1016/j.gene.2003.12.010

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…The circulating HPc comprises a complex of three distinct proteins (HP20, HP25 and HP27) referred to as the HP20c, and one larger protein (HP55) resembling a member of the serpin family of proteins, a 1-antitrypsin. Earlier studies showed the proteins of the HPc are synthesized in the liver (45)(46)(47) and that the intact HPc is found in the serum of active chipmunks, but that its level in the blood is greatly reduced during hibernation. (48,49) Recently it was shown that this near disappearance from the blood during hibernation is concomitant with its reappearance in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of the central nervous system; (50) raising questions of how these liver proteins enter the brain, and what are they doing there?…”

Section: Review Articlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in molecular biology of hibernation in mammals

2007

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Mammalian hibernation is characterized by profound reductions in metabolism, oxygen consumption and heart rate. As a result, the animal enters a state of suspended animation where core body temperatures can plummet as low as -2.9 degrees C. Not only can hibernating mammals survive these physiological extremes, but they also return to a normothermic state of activity without reperfusion injury or other ill effects. This review examines recent findings on the genes, proteins and small molecules that control the induction and maintenance of hibernation in mammals. The molecular events involved with remodeling metabolism, inducing hypothermia and maintaining organ function are discussed and considered with respect to analogous processes in non-hibernating mammals such as mice and humans. The advent of sequenced genomes from three distantly related hibernators, a bat, hedgehog and ground squirrel, provides additional opportunities for molecular biologists to explore the mechanistic aspects of this biological adaptation in greater detail.

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