长爪沙鼠热中性区内代谢和体温调节的分子生理学

基础代谢率(BMR)及其变化调节对于理解恒温动物的能量收支、行为策略、繁殖策略、生活史对策、种群的能流以及群落的组织结构等都具有重要的意义。研究发现长爪沙鼠（Meriones unguiculatus）能在较宽的热中性温度范围内（26.5-38.9℃）维持BMR的稳定，这种非凡的维持内环境稳定的能力的机理和生理生态学意义是本项研究的核心。通过测定不同驯化温度下长爪沙鼠体内代谢活性器官的分子和细胞代谢产热特征、褐色脂肪组织(BAT)的产热（解偶联蛋白1）特征、体水平衡和肾脏功能，以及BMR与最大代谢率和最大可持续能量收支的关系等，揭示长爪沙鼠在热中性区内维持代谢稳定性的机理和BAT产热的功能地位，确定BMR与生理极限的关系。研究结果将对长爪沙鼠代谢生理特征有进一步的认识，同时对小型哺乳动物BMR的进化理论和人类能量平衡的理解有重要贡献。

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) and its variation may have significant implications for mammalian evolution, and is important to understand the strategies of individual energy budget, behavioral decision-making, repruduction, life history, population energy flow and community organization. Studies showed that Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) can keep BMR stable within a relative wide thermal neutral zone (26.5-38.9℃). We focus on the mechanism and ecophysiological significance of the great ability to maintain a relative homeostasis state for Mongolian gerbils in this study. We will measure the molecular and cellular thermogenic properties of inner metabolic active organs, brown adipose tissue (uncoupling protein 1), body water balance, and the relationships between BMR and maximum metabolism and sustained metabolizable enrgy intake, to understand the mechanism of metabolic stability and the role of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue within thermoneutral environment, and the relationship between BMR and physiological limits. Research outcomes will deepen our understanding of metabolic physiology in Mongolian gerbils, and contribute to the theory of BMR evolution in small mammals and also for understanding of human energy balance.