The ovine hepatic mitochondrial proteome: Understanding seasonal weight loss tolerance in two distinct breeds

PLoS One. 2019 Feb 20;14(2):e0212580. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212580. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Seasonal weight loss (SWL) is a primary constraint for farmers in the Mediterranean and tropics. One cost-effective solution to SWL is utilizing breeds like the Damara sheep that have adapted to deal with nutritional stress. Previous studies concluded that one of the adaptation mechanisms of SWL is a specialized fatty acid metabolism. Accordingly, hepatic-mitochondrial proteomes were compared across two different breeds (24 sheep total, Merino, n = 12 and Damara, n = 12) and two different diets (restricted vs unrestricted diet, 6 per breed, per diet, 24 total). Mitochondrial-proteins were isolated and relatively quantified using Blue native PAGE / 2D-electrophoresis and then analyzed via mass spectrometry. The tool ReviGO summarized the proteomes' gene-ontology terms. A total of 50 proteins were identified with 7 changing significantly in abundance (ANOVA p-value<0.05). Specific abundance patterns of corticosteroid and inflammatory response-associated proteins such as annexin and glutamate dehydrogenase suggests that the Damara has an unusual inflammation response when subjected to SWL in addition to its unique metabolism. All significant proteins warrant further study; Annexin in particular shows promise as a potentially useful biomarker.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Mitochondria, Liver / chemistry
  • Mitochondria, Liver / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / analysis
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proteome / analysis
  • Proteome / metabolism
  • Seasons
  • Sheep / physiology*
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Proteome

Grants and funding

Mass spectrometry work was performed at the Proteomics i3S Scientific Platform that has support from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (ROTEIRO/0028/2013; LISBOA-01-0145- FEDER-022125). This work was supported by an Intra-Mural grant (Ovinomics II) from the Centre for Integrative Mammalian Research of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies). Author AM Almeida acknowledges funding from LEAF (UID/AGR/04129/2013).