Not just fat: investigating the proteome of cetacean blubber tissue. Issue 1 (16th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kershaw, Joanna L; Botting, Catherine H; Brownlow, Andrew; Hall, Ailsa J
• Is Part Of: Conservation physiology. Volume 6:Issue 1(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-16
• Subjects: Adipose tissue -- biomarkers -- marine mammals -- metabolism -- proteomics; Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- Periodicals; Conservation biology -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-1434

Abstract

Abstract : The separation and identification of proteins from cetacean blubber tissue will help to establish a database of potential health markers in species with limited sampling opportunities, and to assign novel functional roles to blubber in keeping with current understanding of the multi-functional role of adipose tissue in other mammals. Abstract: Mammalian adipose tissue is increasingly being recognized as an endocrine organ involved in the regulation of a number of metabolic processes and pathways. It responds to signals from different hormone systems and the central nervous system, and expresses a variety of protein factors with important paracrine and endocrine functions. This study presents a first step towards the systematic analysis of the protein content of cetacean adipose tissue, the blubber, in order to investigate the kinds of proteins present and their relative abundance. Full depth blubber subsamples were collected from dead-stranded harbour porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena) ( n = 21). Three total protein extraction methods were trialled, and the highest total protein yields with the lowest extraction variability were achieved using a RIPA cell lysis and extraction buffer based protocol. Extracted proteins were separated using 1D Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and identified using nanoflow Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization in tandem with Mass Spectrometry (nLC-ESI–MS/MS). A range of proteins were identified ( n = 295) and classed into eight functional groups, the most abundant of which were involved in cell function and metabolism (45%), immune response and inflammation (15%) and lipid metabolism (11%). These proteins likely originate both from the various cell types within the blubber tissue itself, and from the circulation. They therefore have the potential to capture information on the cellular and physiological stresses experienced by individuals at the time of sampling. The importance of this proteomic approach is two-fold: Firstly, it could help to assign novel functions to marine mammal blubber in keeping with current understanding of the multi-functional role of adipose tissue in other mammals. Secondly, it could lead to the development of a suite of biomarkers to better monitor the physiological state and health of live individuals though remote blubber biopsy sampling.