Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology最新文献

{"title":"Novel mechanisms of epithelial ion transport and its regulation","authors":"Dennis Kolosov , Sima Jonusaite","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111852","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111852","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55237,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 111852"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143761144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feeding time modulates the daily rhythms of expression of digestive and metabolic enzymes in the liver, and food intake regulation and reward systems in the hypothalamus of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)","authors":"Elisa Samorì ,&nbsp;Inmaculada Rodríguez ,&nbsp;José Antonio Paullada-Salmerón ,&nbsp;José Antonio Muñoz-Cueto ,&nbsp;Verónica González-Nunez ,&nbsp;Francisco Javier Sánchez-Vázquez ,&nbsp;José Fernando López-Olmeda","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111853","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111853","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fish exhibit daily rhythms at the molecular level across different tissues, synchronized by <em>zeitgebers</em>, such as food availability. To optimize feeding, organisms align internal timekeeping systems to environmental cues. Previous studies on intermediary metabolism and the hypothalamic control of food intake in fish have underscored the significance of feeding time and daily rhythms. This study examined how feeding times—mid-light (ML) <em>versus</em> mid-dark (MD)—influence the rhythmic transcription of digestive and metabolic enzymes in the liver, and regulatory factors of food intake in the hypothalamus of European sea bass (<em>Dicentrarchus labrax</em>). It also explored the connection between food intake control and the reward system. When fish were fed at ML, genes involved in protein digestion (<em>tryp2, tryp3, ctrl,</em> and <em>cpa5</em>) exhibited daily rhythms with peaks early in the dark phase (ZT 11:17–13:36). These peaks were delayed in MD-fed fish (ZT 16:57–18:27). <em>Pla2</em>, a gene related to lipid metabolism, and transamination genes (<em>c-alt</em>, <em>m-alt</em>) showed rhythms only in ML-fed fish, with acrophases in the light phase (ZT 5:01–13:58), such as pyruvate kinase (<em>pk</em>) that peaked at ZT 6:16. Orexigenic genes (<em>npy, orexin</em>) had rhythms only in the MD group, with nocturnal peaks (ZT 13:09, 16:06). Conversely, reward system genes (<em>th, bdnf</em>) were rhythmic in ML-fed fish (ZT 17:35, 11:46), with only <em>th</em> retaining its rhythm in MD-fed fish (ZT 15:30). These findings suggest feeding time significantly affects rhythms in digestive and metabolic processes. They also highlight the intricate nature of food intake regulation systems, which present diverse synchronization patterns in relation to feeding time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55237,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 111853"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143756075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative analysis of differential gene expression in hepatopancreas of Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) with different carapace colors","authors":"Qi Zhu ,&nbsp;Maolei Wei ,&nbsp;Xinxin Chen ,&nbsp;Xugan Wu ,&nbsp;Xiaowu Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The carapace color of the Chinese mitten crab (<em>Eriocheir sinensis</em>) significantly influences consumer preference and market value, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, transcriptome sequencing coupled with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to elucidate genetic and metabolic pathways involved in three genetically distinct carapace color phenotypes (red, white, and green). Hepatopancreatic transcriptome analyses across these color variants identified 910, 1555, and 1598 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in pairwise comparisons. Functional enrichment analyses revealed significant activation of oxidoreductase activity, retinol metabolism, and mitochondrial energy metabolism pathways in crabs with red carapaces. Notably, key pigmentation-associated genes, including <em>ninaB</em> (carotenoid isomerase) and <em>sno1</em> (flavin monooxygenase), were markedly upregulated. Additionally, WGCNA identified a highly correlated (<em>r</em> = 0.97) red-specific gene module enriched predominantly with oxidative phosphorylation-related genes, such as <em>atpsycf6</em> and <em>ndufb4</em>, emphasizing the energetic investment associated with pigment biosynthesis. Furthermore, retinol metabolism emerged as a pivotal pathway connecting carotenoid processes with immune and antioxidant functions, implying potential physiological trade-offs between pigmentation and stress resilience. Overall, this study advances our understanding of crustacean carapace coloration mechanisms and provides valuable genetic targets for selective breeding aimed at enhancing desirable color traits in <em>E. sinensis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55237,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 111851"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143747069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcriptome analysis and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated mutagenesis identify gpr116 as a candidate gene for growth promotion in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)","authors":"Tao Sheng ,&nbsp;Xin-Zhan Meng ,&nbsp;Qiaozhen Yu ,&nbsp;Wenyao Lv ,&nbsp;Yuxuan Chen ,&nbsp;Qian Cong ,&nbsp;Weizhong Li ,&nbsp;Lang Gui ,&nbsp;Jiale Li ,&nbsp;Xiaoyan Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111850","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111850","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grass carp (<em>Ctenopharyngodon idella</em>) is an economically important aquaculture species known for its considerable variability in growth performance. In this study, we investigated the growth phenotype by comparing fast-growing and slow-growing groups. Microstructural analyses revealed that slow-growing fish exhibited significantly larger myofibrillar gaps and lower muscle fiber density. To elucidate the underlying molecular basis, we performed transcriptome (RNA-Seq) analysis of brain and dorsal muscle tissues. 328 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in dorsal muscle tissue (33 up and 295 down-regulated) and 228 in brain tissue (17 up and 211 down-regulated). Gene Ontology and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the DEGs were closely associated with apoptosis and angiogenesis pathways. Among the candidate genes, <em>gpr116</em> was significantly up-regulated in the brain and dorsal muscle tissue of the fast-growing group. Finally, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout in a zebrafish model confirmed that <em>gpr116</em> deletion significantly restricted growth, underscoring its pivotal role in the growth regulation of grass carp. These discoveries lay significant groundwork for deeper exploration of growth regulation mechanisms in grass carp and offer important clues for selective breeding of key growth marker genes in this species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55237,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 111850"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143756077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Triaxial accelerometers and subcutaneous biologgers as tools to record diurnal and nocturnal changes in locomotor activity, body temperature, heart rate, and heart rate variability in melatonin-treated lambs (Ovis aries)","authors":"José A. Abecia ,&nbsp;Isabella Manenti ,&nbsp;Irene Viola ,&nbsp;Paola Toschi ,&nbsp;Carlos Palacios ,&nbsp;Francisco Canto ,&nbsp;Silvia Miretti","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111849","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111849","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study of growth and development of lambs <em>(Ovis aries)</em> is essential in sheep farming, and melatonin plays an important role in the physiology of growing lambs. The effects of an exogenous melatonin treatment on several physiological characteristics in fattening lambs at weaning were studied. Eight lambs were assigned to one of two groups; those that did (melatonin group, <em>n</em> = 4) or did not (no-melatonin group, n = 4) receive two subcutaneous melatonin implants at weaning. At the end of the fattening period, to quantify locomotor activity (LA), each lamb was fitted with a triaxial accelerometer, for 7 days. Simultaneously, lambs received a surgically implanted subcutaneous temperature (T) and heart rate (HR) biologger, which was programmed to record data every 5 min. HR variability (HRV) variables (SDNN, the standard deviation of normal-to-normal R-R intervals, and RMSSD, the root mean square of consecutive deviations between normal heartbeats) were measured. All of the variables exhibited 24-h circadian rhythms. Time of day (daytime vs. nighttime) had a significant effect on LA, T, and HR, but considering both treatment with melatonin and time, differences between time for these variables were only observed in melatonin-treated lambs. Exogenous melatonin did not affect LA or T, but melatonin-treated lambs had lower HR, SDNN, and RMSSD than did non-treated lambs. In conclusion, the use of subcutaneous biologgers and triaxial accelerometers in growing lambs demonstrated circadian rhythms in LA, T, HR, and HRV, and melatonin treatment negatively affected HRV, but its effects on the other physiological variables differed between day and night.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55237,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 111849"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143726084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Commentary: Cellular functions of vitamin D-binding protein","authors":"David R. Fraser ,&nbsp;Rebecca S. Mason","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111848","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111848","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The classical roles of plasma vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) are the transport of vitamin D and its metabolites in blood, as well as because of its actin-binding affinity, the removal of any actin that escapes into the circulation when cells are damaged or destroyed. It is also apparent that DBP has functions related to the activity of lymphoid cells that are independent of its role as a vehicle for delivering vitamin D metabolites around the body. A separate major function of DBP was revealed with the discovery of the endocytic activity of cell membrane proteins megalin and cubilin, in internalizing DBP into cells in a number of different organs, particularly the kidney and skeletal muscle. Within a cell, DBP binds specifically to cytoplasmic actin filaments. Because most DBP in plasma is in the apo-configuration, that which binds to actin within specific cells, provides an array of empty binding sites that enable free 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), that diffuses into those cells, to be retained on the DBP-actin structure. The retention of 25(OH)D diffusing into renal proximal tubule cells provides the substrate, after DBP proteolysis, for the 1-hydroxylase which generates the vitamin D hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D). In skeletal muscle cells, the 25(OH)D that accumulates on the internalized DBP-actin complex, diffuses back to the circulation when that DBP undergoes proteolysis. This diffusion of 25(OH)D into and out of skeletal muscle cells, mediated by the internalized apo-DBP mechanism, accounts for the long half-life of 25(OH)D in the circulation and the role this process plays in maintaining vitamin D status.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55237,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 111848"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143714519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Skeletal muscle preservation in arctic ground squirrels during hibernation season","authors":"Anna V. Goropashnaya ,&nbsp;Inigo Yoldi Bergua ,&nbsp;M. Hoshi Sugiura ,&nbsp;Sarah A. Rice ,&nbsp;Kelly L. Drew ,&nbsp;Esther E. Dupont-Versteegden ,&nbsp;Vadim B. Fedorov","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111847","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111847","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reduced skeletal loading and inactivity leads to muscle atrophy in humans and most mammals. By contrast, hibernating mammals demonstrate limited loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength by the end of winter after being physically inactive for several months. The present study objective was to detect any signs of muscle atrophy and restoration in arctic ground squirrel (AGS) skeletal muscles during the hibernation season. Quadriceps muscles of juvenile AGS males were collected 1–2 weeks before hibernation, and at 2, 6, 10–12 and 16–22 weeks after onset of hibernation during interbout arousal when body temperature returns to euthermic level. Muscle mass, fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and fiber type composition were determined, as well as total and ribosomal RNA content, and expression of key genes involved in protein degradation. We found that muscle mass, CSA and fiber size distribution were not different between the groups (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). No difference was detected in myofiber composition between the hibernation groups compared to pre-hibernation. Total RNA and ribosomal RNA content were not significantly different between the groups during hibernation. Transcript levels of ubiquitin E3-ligase <em>FBXO32</em> (<em>Atrogin-1</em>, <em>MAF</em>bx) and autophagy related genes <em>MAP1LC3A</em> and <em>BECN1</em> were not different between the hibernation and pre-hibernation groups. However, ubiquitin E3-ligase <em>TRIM63</em> (<em>M</em>u<em>RF-1</em>) was significantly higher expressed at 2 weeks of hibernation compared to the other timepoints. These results, for the first time, show that AGS preserve muscles during hibernation season.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55237,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 111847"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143694501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knockdown of cytochrome P450 1 A (cyp1a) gene suppresses growth and oxygen tolerance in zebrafish","authors":"Min Li,&nbsp;Dongjie Wang,&nbsp;Xiaoping Huang,&nbsp;Shulan Wang,&nbsp;Zhenhan Chen,&nbsp;Muhammad Junaid,&nbsp;Shaolin Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111846","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111846","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cyp1a</em> (cytochrome P450 1 A) is critical for metabolizing endogenous substances and environmental chemicals. In this study, a zebrafish strain KI (<em>cyp1a:mcherry</em>), exhibiting low <em>cyp1a</em> gene expression, was compared with wild-type zebrafish (WT) to investigate the effects of <em>cyp1a</em> on growth and hypoxia tolerance. The results demonstrated that low <em>cyp1a</em> expression significantly inhibited zebrafish growth and reduced hypoxia tolerance. Specifically, KI zebrafish exhibited slower growth rates and higher sensitivity to low oxygen conditions compared to WT. These physiological phenotypes directly link low <em>cyp1a</em> expression to impaired growth and reduced environmental adaptation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed potential mechanisms underlying these effects, including up-regulation of digestive system-related genes (e.g., <em>cpa1</em>, <em>cpb1</em>) and dysregulation of pathways involved in detoxification, stress response, and steroid biosynthesis. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining normal <em>cyp1a</em> expression for healthy growth and environmental adaptation in zebrafish.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55237,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 111846"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143675004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potential roles of the melatonin system in the promotion of ovarian estradiol secretion in the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus","authors":"Zhiqing Ye ,&nbsp;Jieyi Yuan ,&nbsp;Lifei Ge ,&nbsp;Yibo Wang ,&nbsp;Yuting Liu ,&nbsp;Xiuwen Xu ,&nbsp;Jixiu Wang ,&nbsp;Jingwen Yang ,&nbsp;Chenghua Li ,&nbsp;Tianming Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111843","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111843","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Melatonin (MT), synthesized from tryptophan, modulates reproduction through its interaction with melatonin receptors (MTNRs). While its functions in vertebrates are well established, the MT system remains poorly understood in echinoderms. To elucidate MT synthesis regulation, we examined <em>AjAsmt</em>, a pivotal enzyme in MT biosynthesis, to determine its tissue-specific distribution in <em>Apostichopus japonicus</em>. <em>AjAsmt</em> was predominantly expressed in the nerve ring, polian vesicle, intestine, and muscle, with significantly reduced intestinal expression post-spawning, suggesting a role in ovarian development and physiological regulation. Building on this, we characterized the molecular and functional properties of <em>AjMTNR</em> using computational analyses and <em>in vitro</em> assays. MT treatment triggered <em>AjMTNR</em> internalization and elevated intracellular cAMP and Ca²⁺ levels. Notably, <em>AjMTNR</em> was highly expressed in the gonads, prompting an investigation into MT's role in estradiol (E₂) secretion. In vitro experiments confirmed that MT stimulates E₂ secretion in ovarian tissue in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings enhance our understanding of the MT system's physiological functions and provide valuable insights for the reproductive management and aquaculture of <em>A. japonicus</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55237,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 111843"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143652140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of prolonged fasting on substrate metabolism in female Japanese quails","authors":"Chong-Xiang Xu ,&nbsp;Jun-Kun Pan ,&nbsp;Lan-Hua Wu ,&nbsp;Zi-Fan Jin ,&nbsp;Shan-Shan Chen ,&nbsp;Jin-Wen Liu ,&nbsp;Jin-Song Liu ,&nbsp;Ming Li","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111845","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111845","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Food stands as a pivotal environmental element that exerts a profound influence on the survival of animals. Faced with food shortages, animals need to develop morphological, physiological, and behavioral strategies to improve their survival adaptability. Animals undergoing fasting tend to mobilize the reserved substances in the body to meet the energy needs for metabolism. In the present investigation, we assessed the influence of prolonged fasting on various physiological parameters related to fat catabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and protein catabolism in female Japanese quails (&lt;em&gt;Coturnix japonica&lt;/em&gt;). The treatment of Japanese quails was divided into four stages: the pre-fasting stage, Phase I (fasting for 1 day), Phase II (fasting for 4 days), and Phase III (fasting for 6–11 days). Compared with the pre-fasting stage, the following indicators changed significantly during prolonged fasting. (1) Fat catabolism: In the liver, the level of lipid droplets and free fatty acids (FFA), the activity of triacylglycerol lipase (TGL), the activity and mRNA level of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA synthetase (&lt;em&gt;HMGCS&lt;/em&gt;), and the level of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) in the serum increased significantly, while the activity and mRNA level of carnitine acyltransferase I (&lt;em&gt;CPT&lt;img&gt;I&lt;/em&gt;) and carnitine acyltransferase II (&lt;em&gt;CPT-II&lt;/em&gt;) decreased significantly. (2) Carbohydrate metabolism: The activity and mRNA levels of the pyruvate carboxylase (&lt;em&gt;PC&lt;/em&gt;) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (&lt;em&gt;PEPCK&lt;/em&gt;) genes, and that of the glucose-6-phosphatase (&lt;em&gt;G6Pase&lt;/em&gt;) in the liver increased significantly, while the mRNA level of the hexokinase domain containing 1 (&lt;em&gt;HKDC1&lt;/em&gt;) and pyruvate kinase (&lt;em&gt;PK&lt;/em&gt;) genes in the liver decreased significantly. (3) Protein catabolism: free amino acid levels in the liver and pectoral muscle increased significantly, whereas the mRNA levels of the asparagine synthetase (&lt;em&gt;ASNS&lt;/em&gt;) and glutamate dehydrogenase (&lt;em&gt;GLUD&lt;/em&gt;) genes in the liver decreased significantly, while the mRNA level of the nuclear factor-kappa B (&lt;em&gt;NF-kB1&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;NF-kB2&lt;/em&gt;) in the pectoral muscle increased significantly. Additionally, glucocorticoid levels significantly rose in Phase III compared with Phases I and II. Therefore, for prolonged fasting female Japanese quails, the mobilization of fat, fat decomposition, and generation of ketone bodies increased significantly, and gluconeogenesis in the liver also increased significantly, while glycolysis decreased significantly; protein decomposition, particularly in pectoral muscle, increased significantly. These results indicate that enhanced fat catabolism, protein catabolism, and gluconeogenesis, along with reduced glycolysis, could play an important role in the tolerance of female Japanese quails to prolonged fasting. These mechanisms might be significant for the birds to establish a temporary balance to maintain homeostasis under conditions of restric","PeriodicalId":55237,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 111845"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143652139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}