Co-activation of Akt, Nrf2, and NF-κB signals under UPRER in torpid Myotis ricketti bats for survival

Commun Biol. 2020 Nov 11;3(1):658. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-01378-2.

Abstract

Bats hibernate to survive stressful conditions. Examination of whole cell and mitochondrial proteomes of the liver of Myotis ricketti revealed that torpid bats had endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response (UPRER), global reduction in glycolysis, enhancement of lipolysis, and selective amino acid metabolism. Compared to active bats, torpid bats had higher amounts of phosphorylated serine/threonine kinase (p-Akt) and UPRER markers such as PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Torpid bats also had lower amounts of the complex of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) (p65)/I-κBα. Cellular redistribution of 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and reduced binding between PERK and GRP78 were also seen in torpid bats. Evidence of such was not observed in fasted, cold-treated, or normal mice. These data indicated that bats activate Akt, Nrf2, and NF-κB via the PERK-ATF4 regulatory axis against endoplasmic reticulum stresses during hibernation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chiroptera / genetics
  • Chiroptera / metabolism
  • Chiroptera / physiology*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / physiology
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation / physiology*
  • Hibernation / physiology*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*

Substances

  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP
  • Hspa5 protein, mouse
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NF-kappa B
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt