Cloning and characterization of a forkhead transcription factor gene, FoxO1a, from thirteen-lined ground squirrel

This research analyzes the regulation of ischemic tolerance in hibernating thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus). Hibernation is studied because it represents a unique state of reversible suspended animation associated with tolerance to an otherwise lethal reduction of core body temperature and metabolism. An integral aspect of hibernation is the profound decrease of cerebral perfusion without neurological damage. As such, hibernation serves as a model for studying natural tolerance to brain ischemia. Identification of regulatory mechanisms that control hibernation in ground squirrels may guide efforts to develop improved treatments for stroke and brain trauma. It was previously shown that phosphorylation of Akt (protein kinase B), an insulin-like growth factor-regulated serine/threonine kinase, was significantly reduced as was its kinase activity in hibernating thirteen-lined ground squirrels. Here we studied the forkhead (FH) in rhabdomyosarcoma (FKHR) transcription factor, which is controlled by Akt signaling and is involved in regulating cell cycle progression and cell death. A cDNA derived from brains of S. tridecemlineatus, encoding a specific FKHR transcription factor, FoxO1a, was cloned and sequenced, and the amino acid sequence of the protein was deduced. FoxO1a is composed of 653 amino acids and has a predicted molecular mass of 69.4 kilodaltons (kDa). Here, for the first time, we report the contrary expression of phosphorylation of two members in the insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway during hibernation (i.e., phosphorylated FKHR was significantly up-regulated as phosphorylation of its upstream kinase, Akt, was significantly down-regulated). Further study is required to identify the possible connection between FoxO1a and Akt activity and the possible of such interactions in hibernation.