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Park JK, DO Y. The difference and variation of gut bacterial community and host physiology can support adaptation during and after overwintering in frog population. Integr Zool 2024; 19:631-645. [PMID: 38185804 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12798] [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] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The hibernation of amphibians can offer a unique window into overwintering adaptation processes and host-gut microbiota interactions through changes in metabolic availability and homeostasis. We attempted to identify differences in the physiology and gut microbiome during and after hibernation in Japanese wrinkled frogs (Glandirana rugosa), an aquatic overwintering amphibian. After hibernation, the high alpha and beta diversity of the gut bacterial community appears to reflect the more diverse and complex environmental conditions. During winter, Proteobacteria dominated the majority of the gut bacterial community, likely due to high oxygen saturation. After hibernation, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes increased, which are supportive of host metabolism by gut microbiota. Corticosterone also showed high values and variances after hibernation, presumably allowing the population to remain adaptable across a broad range of environmental gradients. Innate immunity was high after hibernation but exhibited low variation among populations, which supports the idea of a prioritized investment in immunity after hibernation. Blood biochemistry suggests that aquatic overwintering frogs have a mechanism to adapt through overhydration and regulate homeostasis through water excretion associated with the kidney and urine after hibernation. Frog populations exhibit variations and adaptability in gut microbiota and physiology during and after hibernation: Through this, they may demonstrate an adaptive response that regulates metabolic availability in preparation for unpredictable environmental changes. We also propose that the maintenance of Proteobacteria during hibernation can support the colonization of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes after hibernation, underscoring the need to study the complex effects of gut microbiota across multiple life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Kyu Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
| | - Yuno DO
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
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Niu Y, Zhang X, Men S, Xu T, Zhang H, Li X, Storey KB, Chen Q. Effects of hibernation on two important contractile tissues in tibetan frogs, Nanorana parkeri: a perspective from transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:454. [PMID: 38720264 PMCID: PMC11080311 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10357-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In response to seasonal cold and food shortage, the Xizang plateau frogs, Nanorana parkeri (Anura: Dicroglossidae), enter a reversible hypometabolic state where heart rate and oxygen consumption in skeletal muscle are strongly suppressed. However, the effect of winter hibernation on gene expression and metabolic profiling in these two tissues remains unknown. In the present study, we conducted transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of heart and skeletal muscle from summer- and winter-collected N. parkeri to explore mechanisms involved in seasonal hibernation. RESULTS We identified 2407 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in heart and 2938 DEGs in skeletal muscle. Enrichment analysis showed that shared DEGs in both tissues were enriched mainly in translation and metabolic processes. Of these, the expression of genes functionally categorized as "response to stress", "defense mechanisms", or "muscle contraction" were particularly associated with hibernation. Metabolomic analysis identified 24 and 22 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in myocardium and skeletal muscle, respectively. In particular, pathway analysis showed that DEMs in myocardium were involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, glycerolipid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, citrate cycle (TCA cycle), and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. By contrast, DEMs in skeletal muscle were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS In summary, natural adaptations of myocardium and skeletal muscle in hibernating N. parkeri involved transcriptional alterations in translation, stress response, protective mechanisms, and muscle contraction processes as well as metabolic remodeling. This study provides new insights into the transcriptional and metabolic adjustments that aid winter survival of high-altitude frogs N. parkeri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Niu
- School of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, 253023, Shandong, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China.
| | - Xuejing Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Shengkang Men
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Tisen Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, 253023, Shandong, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, 253023, Shandong, China
| | - Xiangyong Li
- School of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, 253023, Shandong, China
| | - Kenneth B Storey
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Qiang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China.
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Xu C, Sun D, Liu Y, Pan Z, Dai Z, Chen F, Guo R, Chen R, Shi Z, Ying S. Effects of ambient temperature on growth performance, slaughter traits, meat quality and serum antioxidant function in Pekin duck. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1363355. [PMID: 38601909 PMCID: PMC11005821 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1363355] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of temperature on growth performance, slaughtering traits, meat quality and antioxidant function of Pekin ducks from 21-42 d of age. Single factor analysis of variance was used in this experiment, 144 21 d-old Pekin ducks were randomly allotted to 4 environmentally controlled chambers: T20 (20°C), T23 (23°C), T26 (26°C) and T29 (29°C), with 3 replicates in each group (12 ducks in each replicate), the relative humidity of all groups is 74%. During the 21-day trial period, feed and water were freely available. At 42 d, the BW (body weight) and ADG (average daily gain) of T26 were significantly lower than T20 (p < 0.05), and the T29 was significantly lower than T20 and T23 (p < 0.05). The ADFI (average daily feed intake) of T26 and T29 were significantly lower than T20 and T23 (p < 0.05). Compared to the T29, the T20 showed a significant increase oblique body length and chest width, and both the keel length and thigh muscle weight significantly increased in both the T20 and T23, while the pectoral muscle weight increased significantly in other groups (p < 0.05). The cooking loss of the T29 was the lowest (p < 0.05). The T-AOC (total antioxidant capacity) of T29 was significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05), the SOD (superoxide dismutase) in the T29 was significantly higher than the T23 and T26 (p < 0.05). In conditions of 74% relative humidity, the BW and ADFI of Pekin ducks significantly decrease when the environmental temperature exceeds 26°C, and the development of body size and muscle weight follows this pattern. The growth development and serum redox state of Pekin ducks are more ideal and stable at temperatures of 20°C and 23°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Xu
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agricultural, Beijing, China
| | - Dongyue Sun
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Ziyi Pan
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Zichun Dai
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Rihong Guo
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhendan Shi
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Animal Integrated Farming, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Shijia Ying
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Animal Integrated Farming, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
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Shekhovtsov SV, Vorontsova YL, Slepneva IA, Smirnov DN, Khrameeva EE, Shatunov A, Poluboyarova TV, Bulakhova NA, Meshcheryakova EN, Berman DI, Glupov VV. The Impact of Long-Term Hypoxia on the Antioxidant Defense System in the Siberian Frog Rana amurensis. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:441-450. [PMID: 38648764 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The Siberian frog Rana amurensis has a uniquely high tolerance to hypoxia among amphibians, as it is able to withstand several months underwater with almost no oxygen (0.2 mg/liter) vs. several days for other studied species. Since it was hypothesized that hypoxia actives the antioxidant defense system in hypoxia-tolerant animals, one would expect similar response in R. amurensis. Here, we studied the effect of hypoxia in the Siberian frog based on the transcriptomic data, activities of antioxidant enzyme, and content of low-molecular-weight antioxidants. Exposure to hypoxia upregulated expression of three relevant transcripts (catalase in the brain and two aldo-keto reductases in the liver). The activities of peroxidase in the blood and catalase in the liver were significantly increased, while the activity of glutathione S-transferase in the liver was reduced. The content of low-molecular-weight antioxidants (thiols and ascorbate) in the heart and liver was unaffected. In general, only a few components of the antioxidant defense system were affected by hypoxia, while most remained unchanged. Comparison to other hypoxia-tolerant species suggests species-specific adaptations to hypoxia-related ROS stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei V Shekhovtsov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
- Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Magadan, 630058, Russia
| | - Yana L Vorontsova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630091, Russia
| | - Irina A Slepneva
- Voevodsky Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Dmitry N Smirnov
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, 121205, Russia
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501 Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ekaterina E Khrameeva
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, 121205, Russia
| | - Alexey Shatunov
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Tatiana V Poluboyarova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Nina A Bulakhova
- Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Magadan, 630058, Russia
| | - Ekaterina N Meshcheryakova
- Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Magadan, 630058, Russia
| | - Daniil I Berman
- Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Magadan, 630058, Russia
| | - Viktor V Glupov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630091, Russia
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Liao W, Jiang Y, Jin L, Lüpold S. How hibernation in frogs drives brain and reproductive evolution in opposite directions. eLife 2023; 12:RP88236. [PMID: 38085091 PMCID: PMC10715729 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental seasonality can promote the evolution of larger brains through cognitive and behavioral flexibility but can also hamper it when temporary food shortage is buffered by stored energy. Multiple hypotheses linking brain evolution with resource acquisition and allocation have been proposed for warm-blooded organisms, but it remains unclear how these extend to cold-blooded taxa whose metabolism is tightly linked to ambient temperature. Here, we integrated these hypotheses across frogs and toads in the context of varying brumation (hibernation) durations and their environmental correlates. We showed that protracted brumation covaried negatively with brain size but positively with reproductive investment, likely in response to brumation-dependent changes in the socio-ecological context and associated selection on different tissues. Our results provide novel insights into resource allocation strategies and possible constraints in trait diversification, which may have important implications for the adaptability of species under sustained environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Liao
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal UniversitySichuanChina
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Propagation and Utilization in Anurans of Nanchong City, China West Normal UniversityNanchongChina
- Institute of Eco-Adaptation in Amphibians and Reptiles, China West Normal UniversityNanchongChina
| | - Ying Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal UniversitySichuanChina
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Propagation and Utilization in Anurans of Nanchong City, China West Normal UniversityNanchongChina
- Institute of Eco-Adaptation in Amphibians and Reptiles, China West Normal UniversityNanchongChina
| | - Long Jin
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal UniversitySichuanChina
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Propagation and Utilization in Anurans of Nanchong City, China West Normal UniversityNanchongChina
- Institute of Eco-Adaptation in Amphibians and Reptiles, China West Normal UniversityNanchongChina
| | - Stefan Lüpold
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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Niu Y, Li X, Zhang H, Xu T, Wei D, An Z, Storey KB. Hepatic transcriptome and gut microbiome provide insights into freeze tolerance in the high-altitude frog, Nanorana parkeri. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 48:101147. [PMID: 37797475 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Among amphibians, freeze tolerance is a low-temperature survival strategy that has been well studied in several species. One influence on animal health and survival under adverse conditions is the gut microbiome. Gut microbes can be greatly affected by temperature fluctuations but, to date, this has not been addressed in high-altitude species. Nanorana parkeri (Anura: Dicroglossidae) lives at high altitudes on the Tibetan plateau and shows a good freeze tolerance. In the present study, we addressed two goals: (1) analysis of the effects of whole body freezing on the liver transcriptome, and (2) assess modifications of the gut microbiome as a consequence of freezing. We found that up-regulated genes in liver were significantly enriched in lipid and fatty acid metabolism that could contribute to accumulating the cryoprotectant glycerol and raising levels of unsaturated fatty acids. The results suggest the crucial importance of membrane adaptations and fuel reserves for freezing survival of these frogs. Down-regulated genes were significantly enriched in the immune response and inflammatory response, suggesting that energy-consuming processes are inhibited to maintain metabolic depression during freezing. Moreover, freezing had a significant effect on intestinal microbiota. The abundance of bacteria in the family Lachnospiraceae was significantly increased after freezing exposure, which likely supports freezing survival of N. parkeri. The lower abundance of bacteria in the family Peptostreptococcaceae in frozen frogs may be associated with the hypometabolic state and decreased immune response. In summary, these findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of freeze tolerance in a high-altitude amphibian at the level of gene expression and gut microbiome, and contribute to enhancing our understanding of the adaptations that support frog survival in high-altitude extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Niu
- Department of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China.
| | - Xiangyong Li
- Department of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China; Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Department of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
| | - Tisen Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
| | - Dengbang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Zhifang An
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Kenneth B Storey
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
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de Amaral M, Von Dentz MC, Ressel Simões LA, Vogt É, Heiermann D, Fischer P, Colombo P, Kucharski LC. Metabolic changes in the subtropical frog Boana pulchella during experimental cooling and recovery conditions. J Therm Biol 2023; 117:103705. [PMID: 37714110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Frogs have developed biochemical and physiological adaptations to occupy diverse ecological niches on Earth successfully. Survival in frozen states is a fascinating strategy made possible by evolving adaptations to produce cryoprotectant solutes. The hylid frog Boana pulchella thrives in South American regions with cold climates, remaining active while enduring sporadic subzero temperatures during winter. The species' metabolic changes during subzero exposure remain unclear. Therefore, we exposed B. pulchella to cooling and recovery, assessing plasma and tissue metabolite changes. Cooling significantly reduced urea concentrations in plasma (P = 0.033), muscle (P = 0.001), heart (P = 0.009), and brain (P = 0.041) compared to acclimation. Liver glucose oxidation and glycogen synthesis were lower in cooling and recovery than in acclimation (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0117, respectively). Muscle glycogen synthesis was lower in recovery than acclimation (P = 0.0249). These results demonstrate B. pulchella's physiological strategies during subzero exposure, likely reflecting species-specific evolutionary adaptations for brief subzero exposures that enable winter survival in its natural habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjoriane de Amaral
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2600, 90035003, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Maiza Cristina Von Dentz
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2600, 90035003, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Airton Ressel Simões
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2600, 90035003, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Éverton Vogt
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2600, 90035003, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Dener Heiermann
- Museum of Natural Sciences of the Secretariat of Environment and Infrastructure of Rio Grande do Sul (SEMA), FZB, Department of Herpetology/Amphibians, Doutor Salvador França, 90690000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pedro Fischer
- Museum of Natural Sciences of the Secretariat of Environment and Infrastructure of Rio Grande do Sul (SEMA), FZB, Department of Herpetology/Amphibians, Doutor Salvador França, 90690000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Patrick Colombo
- Museum of Natural Sciences of the Secretariat of Environment and Infrastructure of Rio Grande do Sul (SEMA), FZB, Department of Herpetology/Amphibians, Doutor Salvador França, 90690000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Kucharski
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2600, 90035003, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Zhang T, Niu Z, He J, Pu P, Meng F, Xi L, Tang X, Ding L, Ma M, Chen Q. Potential Effects of High Temperature and Heat Wave on Nanorana pleskei Based on Transcriptomic Analysis. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:2937-2949. [PMID: 37185716 PMCID: PMC10136961 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45040192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the context of climate change, understanding how indigenous amphibians of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau react to stresses and their coping mechanisms could be crucial for predicting their fate and successful conservation. A liver transcriptome for Nanorana pleskei was constructed using high-throughput RNA sequencing, and its gene expression was compared with frogs acclimated under either room temperature or high temperature and also heat wave exposed ones. A total of 126,465 unigenes were produced, with 66,924 (52.92%) of them being annotated. Up to 694 genes were found to be differently regulated as a result of abnormal temperature acclimatization. Notably, genes belonging to the heat shock protein (HSP) family were down-regulated in both treated groups. Long-term exposure to high-temperature stress may impair the metabolic rate of the frog and trigger the body to maintain a hypometabolic state in an effort to survive challenging times. During heat waves, unlike the high-temperature group, mitochondrial function was not impaired, and the energy supply was largely normal to support the highly energy-consuming metabolic processes. Genes were more transcriptionally suppressed when treated with high temperatures than heat waves, and the body stayed in low-energy states for combating these long-term adverse environments to survive. It might be strategic to preserve initiation to executive protein activity under heat wave stress. Under both stress conditions, compromising the protection of HSP and sluggish steroid activity occurred in frogs. Frogs were more affected by high temperatures than by heat waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhiyi Niu
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jie He
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Peng Pu
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Fei Meng
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Lu Xi
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiaolong Tang
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Miaojun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Niu Y, Zhang X, Men S, Storey KB, Chen Q. Integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome data reveals insights for molecular mechanisms in overwintering Tibetan frogs, Nanorana parkeri. Front Physiol 2023; 13:1104476. [PMID: 36699683 PMCID: PMC9868574 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1104476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanorana parkeri (Anura, Dicroglossidae) is a unique frog living at high altitude on the Tibetan plateau where they must endure a long winter dormancy at low temperatures without feeding. Here, we presented a comprehensive transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of liver tissue from summer-active versus overwintering N. parkeri, providing the first broad analysis of altered energy metabolism and gene expression in this frog species. We discovered that significantly up-regulated genes (2,397) in overwintering frogs mainly participated in signal transduction and immune responses, phagosome, endocytosis, lysosome, and autophagy, whereas 2,169 down-regulated genes were mainly involved in metabolic processes, such as oxidation-reduction process, amino acid metabolic process, fatty acid metabolic process, and TCA cycle. Moreover, 35 metabolites were shown to be differentially expressed, including 22 down-regulated and 13 up-regulated in winter. These included particularly notable reductions in the concentrations of most amino acids. These differentially expressed metabolites were mainly involved in amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism. To sum up, these findings suggest that gene expression and metabolic processes show adaptive regulation in overwintering N. parkeri, that contributes to maintaining homeostasis and enhancing protection in the hypometabolic state. This study has greatly expanded our understanding of the winter survival mechanisms in amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Niu
- Department of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China,School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,*Correspondence: Yonggang Niu, ; Qiang Chen,
| | - Xuejing Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shengkang Men
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | | | - Qiang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,*Correspondence: Yonggang Niu, ; Qiang Chen,
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Zhang H, Zhang X, Xu T, Li X, Storey KB, Chen Q, Niu Y. Effects of acute heat exposure on oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in overwintering frogs, Nanorana parkeri. J Therm Biol 2022; 110:103355. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Niu Y, Zhang X, Xu T, Li X, Zhang H, Wu A, Storey KB, Chen Q. Physiological and Biochemical Adaptations to High Altitude in Tibetan Frogs, Nanorana parkeri. Front Physiol 2022; 13:942037. [PMID: 35874536 PMCID: PMC9298763 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.942037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Xizang plateau frog, N. parkeri (Anura: Dicroglossidae), is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, ranging from 2,850 to 5,100 m above sea level. The present study explores physiological and biochemical adaptations to high altitude in this species with a particular emphasis on parameters of hematology, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense in adult and juvenile N. parkeri collected from high (4,600 m a.s.l) and low (3,400 m a.s.l) altitudes. Hematological results showed that hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), hematocrit (Hct), and red blood cell (RBC) counts were significantly higher in high-altitude N. parkeri. High-altitude juveniles had lower RBC sizes than low-altitude juveniles. Higher levels of GSH and GSSG were indicated only in juveniles from high altitude, not in adults. High-altitude individuals also showed lower oxidative damage, assessed as malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl groups (CG) in the liver. High-altitude adults also showed higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) as well as total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the liver as compared to low-altitude adults. Moreover, higher GPX activity and T-AOC were observed in the heart and brain of high-altitude adults. Liver CAT, GPX, and T-AOC showed significant increases in high-altitude juveniles. Vitamin C content was also higher in the heart of high-altitude frogs compared to low-altitude individuals. In summary, the high-altitude population of N. parkeri showed more robust hematological parameters, less oxidative damage, and stronger antioxidant defenses than the low-altitude population, all contributing to increased protection for survival in high-altitude environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Niu
- Department of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
| | - Xuejing Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Tisen Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
| | - Xiangyong Li
- Department of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Department of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
| | - Anran Wu
- Department of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
| | | | - Qiang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Hibernation with Rhythmicity in the Retina, Brain, and Plasma but Not in the Liver of Hibernating Giant Spiny Frogs (Quasipaa spinosa). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11050722. [PMID: 35625450 PMCID: PMC9138901 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Aquatic ectotherms experience hypoxia under water during hibernation, which enables them to move denoting some level of consciousness, unlike terrestrial hibernators. However, how aquatic ectotherms modulate their clocks and clock-controlled genes in different tissues and plasma melatonin and corticosterone in light-dark cycles under natural environments before and during hibernation, remains to be largely unexplored. To achieve these, in this study, we investigated circadian clock genes, circadian clock-controlled genes, antioxidant enzyme genes, and related hormones in giant spiny frog (Quasipaa spinosa). Our results demonstrated that, despite the hypometabolic state of hibernation, the retina and the brain displayed some circadian rhythms of clock and antioxidant genes, as well as melatonin, while the liver was inactive. These novel findings may contribute to an understanding of how aquatic ectotherms use their circadian system differentially to modulate their physiology in escaping hypoxia during hibernation and preparing for arousal. Abstract Hibernation in ectotherms is well known, however, it is unclear how the circadian clock regulates endocrine and antioxidative defense systems of aquatic hibernators. Using the giant spiny frog (Quasipaa spinosa), we studied mRNA expression levels of (1) circadian core clock (Bmal1, Clock, Cry1 and Per2), clock-controlled (Ror-α, Mel-1c and AANAT), and antioxidant enzyme (AOE) (SOD1, SOD2, CAT and GPx) genes in retina, brain, and liver; and (2) plasma melatonin (MT) and corticosterone (CORT) levels, over a 24-hour period at six intervals pre-hibernation and during hibernation. Our results showed that brain Bmal1, Cry1, Per2 and Mel-1c were rhythmic pre-hibernation and Clock and Ror-α during hibernation. However, the retina Bmal1, Clock and Mel-1c, and plasma MT became rhythmic during hibernation. All brain AOEs (SOD1, SOD2, CAT and GPx) were rhythmic pre-hibernation and became non-rhythmic but upregulated, except SOD1, during hibernation. However, plasma CORT and liver clocks and AOEs were non-rhythmic in both periods. The mRNA expression levels of AOEs closely resembled those of Ror-α but not plasma MT oscillations. In the hibernating aquatic frogs, these modulations of melatonin, as well as clock and clock-controlled genes and AOEs might be fundamental for them to remain relatively inactive, increase tolerance, and escape hypoxia, and to prepare for arousal.
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