eCite Digital Repository
Absence of adaptive nonshivering thermogenesis in a marsupial, the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata)
Citation
Polymeropoulos, ET and Jastroch, M and Frappell, PB, Absence of adaptive nonshivering thermogenesis in a marsupial, the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), Journal of Comparative Physiology. B: Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology, 182, (3) pp. 393-401. ISSN 0174-1578 (2012) [Refereed Article]
 | PDF Restricted - Request a copy 454Kb |
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2011 Springer-Verlag.
DOI: doi:10.1007/s00360-011-0623-x
Abstract
The presence of nonshivering thermogenesis in
marsupials is controversially debated. Survival of small
eutherian species in cold environments is crucially depen-
dent on uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-mediated, adaptive
nonshivering thermogenesis that is executed in brown
adipose tissue. In a small dasyurid marsupial species, the
fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), an ortho-
logue of UCP1 has been recently identified which is
upregulated during cold exposure resembling adaptive
molecular adjustments of eutherian brown adipose tissue.
Here, we tested for a thermogenic function of marsupial
brown adipose tissue and UCP1 by evaluating the capacity
of nonshivering thermogenesis in cold-acclimated dunn-
arts. In response to an optimal dosage of noradrenaline,
cold-acclimated dunnarts (12°C) showed no additional
recruitment of noradrenaline-induced maximal thermo-
genic capacity in comparison to warm-acclimated dunnarts
(24°C). While no differences in body temperature were
observed between the acclimation groups, basal metabolic
rate was significantly elevated after cold acclimation.
Therefore, we suggest that adaptive nonshivering thermo-
genesis does not occur in this marsupial species despite the
cold recruitment of oxidative capacity and UCP1 in the
interscapular fat deposit. In conclusion, the ancient UCP
orthologue in marsupials does not contribute to the
classical nonshivering thermogenesis, and may exhibit a
different physiological role.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
| Research Group: | Ecology |
| Research Field: | Ecological physiology |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
| Objective Field: | Terrestrial biodiversity |
| UTAS Author: | Polymeropoulos, ET (Dr Elias Polymeropoulos) |
| UTAS Author: | Frappell, PB (Professor Peter Frappell) |
| ID Code: | 75648 |
| Year Published: | 2012 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 22 |
| Deposited By: | Zoology |
| Deposited On: | 2012-02-08 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-10-31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
Repository Staff Only: item control page