Secondary messengers responses during overwintering in tree frogs

Abstract

<p>Cope's gray tree frog, Hyla chrysoscelis, is tolerant of being frozen. In that process, glycerol serves as a primary cryoprotectant. We have hypothesized that the distribution of water and glycerol is facilitated by the expression of aquaporins, membrane proteins that confer permeability to water and glycerol. Glycerol production during cold acclimation is probably triggered through a signal transduction pathway from the peripheral body regions. Physiological responses to such extracellular signals are mediated through secondary messengers. Changes in the levels of cAMP and IP3 are being analyzed in both warmacclimated and cold-acclimated hepatocytes of Hyla chrysoscelis. Enzyme-linked immunoassay is used for quantifying the levels of cAMP and radioimmunoassay for IP3. Changes in patterns of cAMP and IP3 can give us insights into regulation of uptake and transportation of glycerol by aquaporins.</p><p>This presentation occurred at the Wright State University Campus-Wide Celebration of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities on April 16, 2010</p>