Peptidomic analysis reveals seasonal neuropeptide and peptide hormone changes in the hypothalamus and pituitary of a hibernating mammal

ABSTRACT: During the winter, hibernating mammals undergo extreme changes in physiology which allow them to survive without access to food. These animals enter a state of torpor, which is characterized by a decreased metabolism, near-freezing body temperatures, and a dramatically reduced heart rate. The neurochemical basis of this regulation is largely unknown. Based on prior evidence suggesting that the peptide-rich hypothalamus plays critical roles in hibernation, we hypothesized that changes in specific cell-cell signaling peptides (neuropeptides and peptide hormones) underlie physiological changes during torpor/arousal cycles. To test this hypothesis, we used a mass spectrometry-based peptidomics approach to examine seasonal changes of endogenous peptides that occur in the hypothalamus and pituitary of a model hibernating mammal, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus). In the pituitary, we observed changes in a number of distinct peptide hormones as animals prepare for torpor in October, exit torpor in March, and progress from Spring (March) to Fall (August). In the hypothalamus, we observed an overall increase in neuropeptides in October (pre-torpor), a decrease as the animal enters torpor, and an increase in a subset of neuropeptides during normothermic interbout arousals. Notable changes were observed for feeding regulatory peptides from NPY and proSAAS prohormones, opioid peptides from PENK, PDYN, and POMC prohormones, and a number of peptides without well-established functions. In contrast to transcriptome and antibody-based measurements, our mass spectrometry-based approach allowed the identification and measurement of the final processed forms of these peptides after extensive post-translational modifications. Overall, our study provides critical insight into changes in endogenous peptides in the hypothalamus and pituitary during mammalian hibernation that were not available from transcriptome measurements. Understanding the molecular basis underlying the hibernation phenotype may pave the way for future efforts to employ hibernation-like strategies for organ preservation, combating obesity, and treatments for stroke.

INSTRUMENT(S): Xevo G2-S QTof

ORGANISM(S): Spermophilus Tridecemlineatus (thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel)

TISSUE(S): Hypophysis, Hypothalamus

SUBMITTER: James Checco  

LAB HEAD: James Checco

PROVIDER: PXD040033 | Pride | 2023-07-10

REPOSITORIES: Pride