Meeting Abstract
Lipids have been repeatedly shown to influence aerobic ability in mammalian models, such as marine mammals’ reliance on lipids to power dives. The expression of the oxygen-binding protein myoglobin has been suggested to facilitate aerobically-powered dives and contribute to the effective distribution of a finite oxygen supply. Multiple studies have demonstrated that lipid present in the media influences myoglobin regulation in C2C12 cells, driving expression of the protein in conjunction with other elements. However, it is still unclear if the mere presence of the lipids influenced the cell to upregulate myoglobin or if the cell metabolized the lipids, adapting itself to its metabolic environment. Ultimately, does lipid presence influence the ability of cells to adapt conditionally in order to metabolize lipids effectively? Evidence indicating direct links of an intracellular response in the cell based on lipid uptake remains to be explored. We are unaware of the specific conditions or variables that drive myoglobin expression, or how the cell itself utilizes fats to create a physiological response. Preliminary results measuring protein expression and fat availability seem to indicate little to no response, suggesting alternate mechanisms to be elucidated for fatty acid transport, metabolism, and subsequent intracellular responses and expression. Studying metabolic adaptation on a cell culture level will direct future projects studying cellular response to different fatty acids, metabolic flux, and effects of lipid metabolism on aerobic capacity in mammalian models. This research has applications to studying the whole animal system, from prey capture to processing, in order to better understand ecological and biological cues within a changing environment that allow for success of animal populations in the wild.
