Transcriptome analyses of nine endocrine tissues identifies organism-wide transcript distribution and structure in the Siberian hamster

Stewart, C., Hamilton, G., Marshall, C. J. and Stevenson, T. J. (2022) Transcriptome analyses of nine endocrine tissues identifies organism-wide transcript distribution and structure in the Siberian hamster. Scientific Reports, 12, 13552. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-16731-0) (PMID:35941167) (PMCID:PMC9360046)

Abstract

Temperate zone animals exhibit seasonal variation in multiple endocrine systems. In most cases, peripheral organs display robust switches in tissue involution and recrudescence in mass. Our understanding of the molecular control of tissue-specific changes in seasonal function remains limited. Central to this problem is the lack of information on the nucleic acid structure, and distribution of transcripts across tissues in seasonal model organisms. Here we report the transcriptome profile of nine endocrine tissues from Siberian hamsters. Luteinizing hormone receptor expression was localized to gonadal tissues and confirmed previous distribution analyses. Assessment of the prolactin receptor reveal relatively high abundance across tissues involved in reproduction, energy, and water homeostasis. Neither melatonin receptor-1a, nor -1b, were found to be expressed in most tissues. Instead, the closely related G-protein coupled receptor Gpr50 was widely expressed in peripheral tissues. Epigenetic enzymes such as DNA methyltransferase 3a, was widely expressed and the predominant DNA methylation enzyme. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed some sex- and tissue-specific differences for prolactin receptor and DNA methyltransferase 3a expression. These data provide significant information on the distribution of transcripts, relative expression levels and nucleic acid sequences that will facilitate molecular studies into the seasonal programs in mammalian physiology.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Te research was funded by the Leverhulme Trust (No. RL-2019-006) to TJS
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Marshall, Dr Christopher and Hamilton, Dr Graham and Stevenson, Professor Tyler
• Authors: Stewart, C., Hamilton, G., Marshall, C. J., and Stevenson, T. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2322
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author(s) 2022
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 12: 13552
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
307679		Unravelling the mechanisms of seasonal genomic timing	Tyler Stevenson	Leverhulme Trust (LEVERHUL)	RL-2019-006	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine