ARS | Publication request: EFFECT OF HEAT STRESS ON GENE EXPRESSION IN HIPPOCAMPUS

Submitted to: Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 15, 2005
Publication Date: March 31, 2005
Citation: El-Orabi, N., Rogers, C.B., Lay Jr, D.C., Cheng, H., Sartin, J.L., Schwartz, D.D. 2005. Effect of heat stress on gene expression in hippocampus. Experimental Biology.

Technical Abstract: Exertional heat illness is an important risk to people working or exercising in the heat. Currently, no pharmacological therapies are available and little is known about the cellular and molecular response to hyperthermia in the brain. The aim of this study was to identify novel genes differentially expressed in response to heat-stress in the brains of pigs. Twelve pigs were maintained at either 70 º F (Control) or 90 º F (heat stressed) for 12 or 24 h. Pigs were monitored hourly for heart rate, respiration and body temperature. At 12 and 24 h, the hippocampus was excised from 3 pigs in each group and total RNA was isolated for use in differential display PCR. A total of 31 differentially expressed cDNAs were isolated, and the altered expression of 4 genes was confirmed by real-time PCR analysis. After 12 & 24 h, superoxide dismustase-1gene was inhibited (39% & 60%) and Na+ Channel voltage-gated type Iß gene was inhibited (17% & 63%). DNA polymerase epsilon 4 p12 gene was upregulated 3.7 fold at 12 h and back to normal at 24 h. Proteasome 26 S gene was upregulated 2 fold at 12 h and inhibited to 62% at 24 h. On conclusion, the genes that have altered regulation by heat may play role in heat-related pathogenesis and aid to develop new therapeutic plans.