Dystrophins in Structural Changes of the Supraoptic Nucleus During Seasonal Adaptation in Wild Jaculus orientalis

Dystrophin (Dp), a 427 kDa membrane-associated cytoskeletal protein, encoded by the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene, is known for its deficiency in DMD. Emerging evidence suggests Dp expression in the hypothalamus of rats and mice, where it plays a role in functional plasticity. In this study, we focused on Jaculus orientalis, a desert-adapted rodent that serves as an excellent model for investigating seasonal adaptation challenges. However, due to challenges in capturing and properly maintaining these animals in the laboratory, only a limited number of studies have been carried out so far. In this work, to explore the involvement of Dp in structural changes of the supraoptic nucleus (SON), accompanying seasonal adaptation in Jaculus orientalis, first, we assessed the hydro-osmotic state of wild Jaculus orientalis during summer and winter; second, we analysed the histomorphometric changes of the SON; and third, we examined glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Dp immunoreactivity across both seasons. Thirty eight males Jaculus orientalis were used. The osmolality and the haematocrit were measured. Sections of the SON obtained were stained for histological study and immunohistochemistry for GFAP and Dps distribution analysis. Significant seasonal changes in osmolality, with stable haematocrit, demonstrate the ability of Jaculus orientalis to modulate physiological parameters in response to seasonal conditions. The SON structure undergoes adaptive plasticity according to the seasons, suggesting intense SON stimulation during the arid summer, in contrast to the winter. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis showed a notable increase in Dp labeling in parallel with a marked reduction in GFAP signal in the SON soma during summer, and conversely, a decrease in Dp immunolabelling, with an increase in GFAP immunosignal in the SON soma during winter. Our findings reveal that seasonal changes in GFAP and Dp expressions, and the associated alterations in the neurovascular network activity within the SON, underline the role of Dp in structural plasticity mechanisms during osmotic adaptation in Jaculus orientalis.