Freeze-induced expression of a novel gene, fr47, in the liver of the freeze-tolerant wood frog, Rana sylvatica

J. Dayre McNally, Christopher M. Sturgeon, Kenneth B. Storey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ability to endure the freezing of body fluids is well developed as an adaptation for winter survival in several species of woodland frogs. Recently, the mechanisms supporting natural freeze tolerance have been shown to include the expression of novel genes. One such novel gene, fr47, codes for a 390-amino acid protein present in the livers of freeze-tolerant anurans (Rana sylvatica, Pseudacris crucifer, Hyla versicolor) but not in freeze-intolerant species (Rana pipiens, Scaphiopus couchii). Regulatory influences on gene and protein expression were investigated using R. sylvatica. Northern blot analysis showed that transcript levels were increased following 24 h of freezing (5.1-fold), 24 h of anoxia exposure (6.4-fold), or the loss of 20% of total body water (2.7-fold). Immunoblotting with anti-FR47 antibody indicated that protein levels increased during freezing and thawing, but decreased somewhat during anoxia or dehydration exposure, although rebounding during recovery. These results suggest that (i) FR47 function is important for freeze survival, and (ii) that control at the protein level may be exerted posttranscriptionally. Finally, assessment of putative signal transduction pathways regulating fr47 gene expression, via in vitro incubations of liver slices, indicated the involvement of a protein kinase C-mediated pathway.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)183-191
Number of pages9
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Gene Structure and Expression
Volume1625
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 27 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cryobiology
  • Freeze tolerance
  • Gene expression
  • Liver
  • Protein expression
  • Second messenger

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