Seasonal fluctuations in BDNF regulate hibernation and torpor in golden-mantled ground squirrels
Hernandez C. Florant G. Stranahan A (2024). Seasonal fluctuations in BDNF regulate hibernation and torpor in golden-mantled ground squirrels. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 326(4), R311-R318. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00186.2023
- Overall rating
-
(4.0) 1 review
- Authors
- Caterina M. Hernandez, Gregory L. Florant, Alexis M. Stranahan
- Journal
- American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
- First published
- 2024
- Number of citations
- 1
- Type
- Journal Article
- DOI
- 10.1152/ajpregu.00186.2023
Abstract
Golden-mantled ground squirrels exhibit dramatic seasonal fluctuations in metabolism and can fast for months while hibernating. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is an essential determinant of cellular and systemic metabolism, and in this study, we characterized seasonal fluctuations in BDNF expression and then administered the small molecule BDNF mimetic 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF) in hibernating squirrels. The results indicate that activating BDNF/TrkB signaling disrupts hibernation, with implications for synaptic homeostasis in prolonged hypometabolic states.
Reviews
Informative Title
Methods
Statistical Analysis
Data Presentation
Discussion
Limitations
Data Available
Enjoyed reading this paper. It was clearly written. I especially appreciated the several steps of validating the methods and findings (e.g. through SDS-PAGE, antibody specificity, etc.). In addition, the discussion was interesting and well rounded. My only issue is that the number of GMGS used was unclear for some experiments, and how exactly the authors arrived at this n (e.g. no power analysis).