Changes in expression of circulating microRNAs during the hibernation period in Japanese black bears

• Project/Area Number: 16K08067
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Integrative animal science
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Shimozuru Michito 北海道大学, 獣医学研究院, 准教授 (50507168)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 宮崎 充功 北海道医療大学, リハビリテーション科学部, 准教授 (20632467)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2018)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,940,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,140,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥2,730,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥630,000)
• Keywords: 冬眠 / マイクロRNA / 血中循環型マイクロRNA / クマ / ツキノワグマ / エネルギー代謝 / 代謝 / エクソソーム / microRNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated changes in expression of circulating microRNAs during the hibernation period in Japanese black bears. Small-RNA sequencing analysis revealed that 61 and 18 microRNAs increased and decreased in expression during hibernation, respectively. Those included microRNAs which was known to be involved in the regulation of energy metabolic pathway, suggesting that these microRNAs potentially act as communication tool among organs during hibernation period.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、クマの冬眠中に発現量が増減する血中分泌型マイクロRNAを世界で初めて特定することができた。これらの因子は、脂肪を唯一のエネルギー源として代謝異常を伴わずに長期の生命活動を維持できる仕組みに深く関与するものであると考えられるだけでなく、筋萎縮・骨萎縮の抑制にも関わっている可能性がる。今後研究をより発展させることによって、ヒトや伴侶動物・家畜における代謝性疾患等の予防・治療法の開発にも大きく寄与することが期待できる。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Skeletal muscles of hibernating black bears show minimal atrophy and phenotype shifting despite prolonged physical inactivity and starvation (2019)
  • Author(s): Miyazaki M, Shimozuru M, Tsubota T.
  • Journal Title: PLoS One Volume: 未定
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Incidence of multiple paternity and inbreeding in high-density brown bear populations on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan (2019)
  • Author(s): Shimozuru M, Shirane Y, Tsuruga H, Yamanaka M, Nakanishi M, Ishinazaka T, Kasai S, Nose T, Masuda Y, Fujimoto Y, Mano T, Tsubota T.
  • Journal Title: Journal of Heredity Volume: 未定 Issue: 3 Pages: 321-331
  • DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esz002
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Sex-biased natal dispersal in Hokkaido brown bears revealed through mitochondrial DNA analysis. (2018)
  • Author(s): Shirane Y, Shimozuru M, Yamanaka M, Tsuruga H, Hirano S, Nagano N, Moriwaki J, Nakanishi M, Ishinazaka T, Nose T, Kasai S, Shirayanagi M, Masuda Y, Fujimoto Y, Osada M, Akaishi M, Mano T, Masuda R, Sashika M, Tsubota T.
  • Journal Title: European Journal of Wildlife Research Volume: 64 Issue: 6 Pages: 65-65
  • DOI: 10.1007/s10344-018-1222-x
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Testosterone-related and seasonal changes in sebaceous glands in the back skin of adult male brown bears (Ursus arctos) (2018)
  • Author(s): Tomiyasu Jumpei、Yanagawa Yojiro、Sato Yoshikazu、Shimozuru Michito、Nagano Masashi、Sasaki Motoki、Sakamoto Hideyuki、Matsumoto Naoya、Kobayashi Kohei、Kayano Mitsunori、Haneda Shingo、Matsui Motozumi
  • Journal Title: Canadian Journal of Zoology Volume: 96 Issue: 3 Pages: 205-211
  • DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0028
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Evaluation of body condition using body mass and chest girth in brown bears of Hokkaido, Japan (Ursus arctos yesoensis) (2018)
  • Author(s): Moriwaki, J., Omori, R., Shimozuru, M., Tsuruga, H., Mano, T. & Tsubota, T.
  • Journal Title: Japanese Journal of Veterinary Research Volume: 66 Issue: 2 Pages: 71-81
  • DOI: 10.14943/jjvr.66.2.71
  • NAID: 120006469030
  • ISSN: 0047-1917
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] High genetic diversity and distinct ancient lineages of Himalayan black bear revealed by noninvasive surveys in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal (2018)
  • Author(s): Kadariya R, Shimozuru M, Maldonado J, Mustafa MAM, Sashika M, Tsubota T.
  • Journal Title: PLoS One Volume: 13(12) Issue: 12 Pages: e0207662-e0207662
  • DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207662
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] First molecular detection and characterization of Hepatozoon and Sarcosystis spp. in field mice and voles from Japan. (2017)
  • Author(s): Moustafa, M. A. M., Shimozuru, M., Mohamed, W., Taylor, K. R., Nakao, R., Sashika, M. & Tsubota, T.
  • Journal Title: Parasitology Research Volume: 116 Issue: 8 Pages: 2321-2325
  • DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5505-z
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Reproductive parameters and cub survival of brown bears in the Rusha area of the Shiretoko peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. (2017)
  • Author(s): Shimozuru, M., Yamanaka, M., Nakanishi, M., Moriwaki, J., Mori, F., Tsujino, M., Shirane, Y., Ishinazaka, T., Kasai, S., Nose, T., Masuda, Y. & Tsubota, T.
  • Journal Title: PLoS ONE Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Pages: e0176251-e0176251
  • DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176251
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Molecular identification and characterization of piroplasm species in Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus Nippon yesoensis), Japan. (2017)
  • Author(s): Elbaz, E., Moustafa, M. A. M., Lee, K., Mohamed, W. M. A., Nakao, R., Shimozuru, M., Sashika, M., Younis, E. E. A., El-khodery, S. A. & Tsubota, T.
  • Journal Title: Tick and Tick-borne Diseases Volume: 8 Issue: 5 Pages: 802-807
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.06.007
  • NAID: 120006491493
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] クマにおける冬眠中のエネルギー代謝制御に関わる血中分泌型microRNAの探索 (2018)
  • Author(s): 相馬司・下鶴倫人・坪田敏男
  • Organizer: 第2回冬眠休眠研究会
• [Presentation] ヒグマはオスに偏った出生地分散により近親交配を回避する (2018)
  • Author(s): 下鶴倫人・白根ゆり・釣賀一二三・山中正実・中西將尚・石名坂豪・葛西真輔・能勢峰・間野勉・坪田敏男
  • Organizer: 日本獣医学会
• [Presentation] 知床半島ヒグマ個体群におけるマルチプルパターニティと近親交配の発生率 (2018)
  • Author(s): 下鶴倫人・白根ゆり・釣賀一二三・山中正実・中西將尚・石名坂豪・葛西真輔・能勢峰・増田泰・間野勉・坪田敏男
  • Organizer: 日本哺乳類学会
• [Presentation] Changes in body temperature and heart rate during hibernation in captive male and female Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus). (2017)
  • Author(s): Tsubota, T., Yamazaki, K., Sashika, M., Moustafa, M. A. M., Shimozuru, M.
  • Organizer: 25th International Conference of Bear Research and Management
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Occurrence rate of multiple paternity and inbreeding in the brown bear population in the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. (2017)
  • Author(s): Shimozuru, M., Shirane, Y., Tsuruga, H., Yamanaka, M., Nakanishi, M., Moriwaki, J., Ishinazaka, T., Kasai, S., Nose, T., Masuda, Y., Mano, T., & Tsubota, T.
  • Organizer: 25th International Conference of Bear Research and Management
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Natal dispersal pattern of brown bears in Shiretoko Peninsula, eastern Hokkaido, Japan. (2017)
  • Author(s): Shirane, Y., Yamanaka, M., Nakanishi, M., Ishinazaka, T., Nose, T., Kasai, S., Shirayanagi, M., Masuda, Y., Tsuruga, H., Mano, T., Fujimoto, Y., Osada, M., Moustarfa, MAM., Sashika, M., Tsubota, T., & Shimozuru, M.
  • Organizer: 25th International Conference of Bear Research and Management
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 知床半島ルシャ地区におけるヒグマの繁殖特性 ―長期追跡調査に基づく繁殖指標の算出― (2017)
  • Author(s): 下鶴倫人，山中正実，中西將尚，白根ゆり，石名坂豪，葛西真輔，能勢峰，増田泰，坪田敏男．
  • Organizer: 日本哺乳類学会2017年度大会
• [Presentation] Changes in energy metabolism in hibernating black bears: an analysis of gene0 expression and metabolites in liver and skeletal muscle (2016)
  • Author(s): Shimozuru M, Miyazaki M, and Tsubota T
  • Organizer: 24th international conference on bear research and management
  • Place of Presentation: アンカレッジ、アラスカ、米国
  • Year and Date: 2016-06-12
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Regulation of protein metabolism and muscle mass in hibernating bears: an attractive model of muscle atrophy resistance (2016)
  • Author(s): Miyazaki M, Shimozuru M, and Tsubota T
  • Organizer: 24th international conference on bear research and management
  • Place of Presentation: アンカレッジ、アラスカ、米国
  • Year and Date: 2016-06-12
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Changes in body temperature and heart rate related with hibernation in captive Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) (2016)
  • Author(s): Tsubota T, Suzuki S, Miyagi D, Yamazaki K, Sashika M, and Shimozuru M
  • Organizer: 24th international conference on bear research and management
  • Place of Presentation: アンカレッジ、アラスカ、米国
  • Year and Date: 2016-06-12
  • Int'l Joint Research