Mechanisms of Temperature Adaptation in Poikilotherms.
From: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3US, UK.
FEBS letters
- Publish Date: Oct 2006
- ISSN: 0014-5793
- Volume: 580
- Issue: 23
- Pages: 5477-83
- Medium: Print
- Language: English
- Citation (JAMA): Guschina Irina A, Harwood John L, et al. Mechanisms of Temperature Adaptation in Poikilotherms.. FEBS Lett. Oct 2006;580:5477-83
Abstract
For good function, membrane lipids have to be arranged appropriately and be in the correct physical state. In poikilotherms, exposure to cold stress or heat shock can alter membrane properties such that, unless they are corrected quickly, damage and, possibly, death can result. Low temperature stress is countered by modifying membrane lipids such that their average transition temperature is lowered. There are various ways in which this can be achieved but an increase in fatty acid unsaturation is the most common. For heat shock, various changes in lipids have been noted and some defensive strategies involving heat shock proteins noted. In this short review, we will describe recent results where adaptive lipid changes, as a result of temperature stress, have been found. Mechanisms for bringing about such alterations are discussed, together with the contrasting data for different organisms.
Mesh Headings (Keywords): Adaptation, Physiological, Animals, Cell Membrane, Fatty Acids, Unsaturated, Phase Transition, Temperature
Check for Full Text / PubMed Unique Identifier (PMID): 16824520
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