Summer fades, deer change: Photoperiodic control of cellular seasonal acclimatization of skeletal muscle

• Published in: iScience 2024-01, Vol.27 (1), p.108619-108619, Article 108619
• Main Authors: Gasch, Kristina, Hykollari, Alba, Habe, Manuela, Haubensak, Patricia, Painer-Gigler, Johanna, Smith, Steve, Stalder, Gabrielle, Arnold, Walter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal physiology; Evolutionary biology; Zoology
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108619

We found major seasonal changes of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in muscular phospholipids (PL) in a large non-hibernating mammal, the red deer (Cervus elaphus). Dietary supply of essential linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) had no, or only weak influence, respectively. We further found correlations of PL PUFA concentrations with the activity of key metabolic enzymes, independent of higher winter expression. Activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca++-ATPase increased with SR PL concentrations of n-6 PUFA, and of cytochrome c oxidase and citrate synthase, indicators of ATP-production, with concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid in mitochondrial PL. All detected cyclic molecular changes were controlled by photoperiod and are likely of general relevance for mammals living in seasonal environments, including humans. During winter, these changes at the molecular level presumably compensate for Arrhenius effects in the colder peripheral body parts and thus enable a thrifty life at lower body temperature. [Display omitted] •During winter, more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were found in phospholipids•Key metabolic enzymes were more expressed during winter•Their activity was boosted by some of the PUFA incorporated in phospholipids•Seasonal changes were independent of intake of PUFA but governed by photoperiod Zoology; Evolutionary biology; Animal physiology