Gene expression and protein adaptations in mammalian hibernation

An understanding or the protein adaptations that support mammalian hibernat ion is coming from several different approaches. New studies in my lab are (a) using cDNA library screening to identify genes that are up-regulated in hibernation, (b) analyzing the role of reversible protein phosphorylation in the control of membrane ion pumps in torpor, (c) assessing temperature-d ependent properties Of protein kinases that alter their function in eutherm ic vs hibernating states, and (d) characterizing Fatty acid binding protein s of hibernating vs nonhibernating species to identify properties that supp ort intracellular fatty acid transport at low body temperatures.