LONDRAVILLE, R. L.*; JURY, D.; KINTER, M.; NIEWIAROWSKI, P.H.; University of Akron; University of Akron; Cleveland Clinic Foundation; University of Akron: Comparative Proteomics in Zebrafish and Fence Lizards: Effects of Diet and Season

We are using comparative proteomics to identify candidate proteins that change with environmental conditions in zebrafish Danio rerio and fence lizard Sceloporus undulatus. In zebrafish liver, we can resolve 850 distinct bands via two-dimensional electrophoresis. Among these bands, 182 change pixel volume (i.e. expression) from 2-25-fold between high and low-calorie treatments. Our goal is to identify/characterize all bands via analysis by mass spectroscopy. Thus far, 85% of the 34 bands analyzed have been positively identified via sequence homology with known database proteins. In fence lizard, we are comparing expression patterns among summer and fall individuals, where we have established that leptin (a hormone that influences fat deposition in mammals) is differentially expressed. We have analyzed 14 bands, with positive identifications of 19. Together these studies serve as a ‘proof of concept’ for comparative proteomics with these species, and to identify which suites of proteins (vs. individual proteins) are involved with changes in adipose storage in vertebrates.