RUI: Fast and slow cellular response to thermal stress: the role of AMP activated protein kinase and HSP70 in two decapod crustacean species

海洋甲壳类动物经常受到季节性和昼夜温度变化的影响。这种温度变化对动物的能量代谢和活动有着深远的影响。适应快速和缓慢季节性温度变化的机制对于维持细胞能量的恒定供应是必要的。超过适应高温或低温的能力会导致动物的能量耗尽和死亡。 该项目将采用跨学科方法，结合生理学，生物化学和分子生物学的方法，研究两种甲壳类动物的细胞耐温机制。这项研究将集中在调节蛋白的短期激活，以及它们在温度胁迫后的长期表达。海洋甲壳类动物科普温度变化的细胞机制，或在更严重的温度胁迫下限制生存的细胞机制将被识别和表征。对这些适应机制和调节过程的深入理解有助于预测温度变化（例如通过全球变暖）对动物的影响。一旦确定了应激标志物，它们就可以用于评估相应动物的应激水平。目前项目的研究结果可以应用于其他无脊椎动物物种，包括具有商业价值的甲壳类物种，如蓝蟹、龙虾或小虾。除了推进无脊椎动物温度生理学的知识外，该项目还将加强一所小型文理学院的研究基础设施，并将包括多个级别的本科生。通过这个项目，学生将获得更丰富的生物学研究经验，并更好地应对新兴科学知识经济的挑战。

Marine crustaceans are exposed to frequent seasonal and diel temperature changes. Such temperature changes have a profound impact on the animals' energy metabolism and activity. Mechanisms to adapt to both, rapid and slower seasonal temperature changes are necessary to maintain a constant supply of cellular energy. Exceeding the ability to adapt to high or low temperatures leads to energy depletion and death of the animals. This project will investigate in two crustacean species cellular mechanisms of temperature tolerance using an interdisciplinary approach that combines methods from physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. The study will focus on a short-term activation of regulator proteins, and their longer term expression after temperature stress. Cellular mechanisms that allow marine crustaceans to cope with temperature changes, or that limit survival when exposed to more severe temperature stress will be identified and characterized.A deeper understanding of these adaptive mechanisms and regulatory processes enables predictions of the impact of temperature changes (e.g. through global warming) on the animals. Once stress markers have been identified, they can be used to evaluate the stress level of the respective animal. Findings of the current project can be translated to other invertebrate species, including commercially important crustacean species such as blue crabs, lobsters or shrimps.In addition to advancing knowledge on invertebrate temperature physiology, this project will enhance the research infrastructure at a small liberal arts college and will include undergraduate students at many levels. Through this project students will gain a stronger experience in biological research and be better equipped for the challenges of the emerging science-based knowledge economy.