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Mouse Adipose Tissue Collection and Processing for RNA Analysis
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Plasma FGF21 concentrations, adipose fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 and β-klotho expression decrease with

Miwa Suzuki1, Andrew Y Lee2, José Pablo Vázquez-Medina2

  • 1Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA; College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan.

General and Comparative Endocrinology
|April 11, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21, typically elevated during fasting, is suppressed in fasting elephant seals. This atypical response suggests unique adaptations in FGF21-mediated metabolism during prolonged food deprivation.

Keywords:
Elephant sealFastingFibroblast growth factor 21Food deprivation

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Area of Science:

  • * Endocrinology
  • * Comparative Physiology
  • * Marine Mammal Biology

Background:

  • * Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 plays a key role in regulating lipid and glucose metabolism during fasting.
  • * Northern elephant seals undergo prolonged natural fasts, presenting a unique model to study metabolic adaptations.
  • * Understanding FGF21's role in fasting mammals is crucial for metabolic research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the expression of FGF21 and its receptor complex (FGFR1/KLB) in elephant seals during prolonged fasting.
  • * To analyze plasma FGF21, glucose, and 3-hydroxybutyrate levels in fasted elephant seal pups.
  • * To determine if elephant seals exhibit a typical FGF21 response to fasting.

Main Methods:

  • * Analysis of FGF21, FGFR1, and KLB mRNA expression in adipose tissue of fasted elephant seal pups.
  • * Measurement of plasma FGF21, glucose, and 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations.
  • * Comparison of gene expression and plasma metabolite levels with fasting duration.

Main Results:

  • * Significant decreases in FGFR1 (98%) and KLB (43%) mRNA expression were observed with fasting duration.
  • * Adipose FGF21 mRNA expression showed an 80% decrease, and plasma FGF21 levels decreased by 39% during fasting.
  • * These findings suggest a suppression of FGF21 in elephant seals during prolonged fasting, an atypical response.

Conclusions:

  • * Elephant seals display an atypical suppression of FGF21 during prolonged fasting, indicating differential evolution of FGF21-mediated mechanisms.
  • * Typical FGF21-mediated fasting adaptations, such as lipolysis inhibition, may not be necessary for elephant seals.
  • * This study highlights unique metabolic strategies employed by elephant seals to meet energetic demands during extended fasting periods.