Epigenetic adaptations for survival of extreme dehydration in the estivating African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis
Abstract:
The African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, is a model organism for different fields of scientific study and has a remarkable ability to tolerate dehydration. RNA (m6A) and histone arginine methylation are known to contribute to the regulation of gene expression and have not been previously studied in relation to severe dehydration. This thesis presents an introduction to the potential involvement of these pathways in the survival of severe dehydration in X. laevis liver and kidney tissues. 35 ± 0.93% dehydration of X. laevis led to differential expression of many proteins/marks in both of these pathways. There were many notable changes observed in the levels of many key proteins and marks. These results indicate that both m6A and histone arginine methylation may have a role in supporting the metabolic reorganization that takes place to during dehydration of X. laevis.