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Cardiac expression of opioid genes in hibernation
Author(s) -
Ackermann Laynez W,
Denning Gerene M,
Dickson Eric W
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.966.4
Subject(s) - hibernation (computing) , opioid , hypothermia , biology , receptor , opioid peptide , opioid receptor , dynorphin , pharmacology , gene , medicine , endocrinology , genetics , state (computer science) , algorithm , computer science
Hibernation is a state of markedly reduced body temperature and metabolism, and is characterized by profound resistance to hypothermia‐ and ischemia‐mediated injury. Hibernation is induced by pharmacologic delta opioids and blocked by delta opioid receptor antagonists. Despite evidence for a key role by opioids in hibernation, relatively little is known about the expression of opioid genes in hibernators. To address this question, we have partially sequenced woodchuck mRNAs for the opioid precursor proteins (preproenkephalin, pPENK; prodynorphin, pPD; propiomelanocortin, POMC) and the opioid receptors (delta, DOR; kappa, KOR; mu, MOR). In all cases, woodchuck mRNA sequences were highly homologous with human, rat, and mouse sequences, suggesting significant conservation of these proteins. Additionally, all six mRNAs were expressed in heart, and there appeared to be hibernation‐dependent changes in pPENK (4‐fold decrease) and DOR (2‐fold increase) mRNAs. Additional studies are underway to measure expression of these genes in tissues from summer‐active and hibernating animals. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which hibernation protects the heart and other organs from ischemic injury may contribute to future therapeutic interventions that harness these remarkable protective effects. Funding for these studies was provided by the University of Iowa Department of Emergency Medicine.