Reduced ATP turnover during hibernation in relaxed skeletal muscle
Author Information
Author(s): Cosimo De Napoli, Luisa Schmidt, Mauro Montesel, Laura Cussonneau, Samuele Sanniti, Lorenzo Marcucci, Elena Germinario, Jonas Kindberg, Alina Lynn Evans, Guillemette Gauquelin-Koch, Marco Narici, Fabrice Bertile, Etienne Lefai, Marcus Krüger, Leonardo Nogara, Bert Blaauw
Primary Institution: Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
Hypothesis
Does ATPase activity of resting skeletal muscle myosin contribute to energy sparing in hibernating bears?
Conclusion
Hibernating bears reduce energy consumption by limiting myosin ATPase activity in their skeletal muscle.
Supporting Evidence
- Hibernating bears show only moderate muscle wasting despite not eating or moving for months.
- ATPase activity in muscle fibers from hibernating bears is significantly lower than in summer.
- Single fiber proteomics revealed major remodeling of the mitochondrial proteome during hibernation.
Takeaway
Bears that hibernate use less energy in their muscles, which helps them keep their strength while they sleep for months without eating.
Methodology
The study analyzed muscle fibers from hibernating and summer-active bears to measure ATPase activity and proteomic changes.
Limitations
The study does not measure muscle mass or function in vivo during hibernation.
Participant Demographics
9 free-ranging brown bears, aged 2-3 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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