Quantifying Differential Expression of Hemoglobin Genes in Tiger Salamanders (Ambystomatigrinum) in Response to Environmental Hypoxia
Presenter(s)
Lincoln Hall and Hadley Phillips
Abstract
The ability to alter phenotype in response to environmental changes, termed phenotypic plasticity, has significant implications for how an organism responds to environmental stressors. Salamanders (order Urodela) offer a unique opportunity to investigate this phenomenon because their oxygen transport needs vary greatly depending on whether they are aquatic or terrestrial. For aquatic individuals, one significant potential stressor is decreased dissolved oxygen in the water(hypoxia). Previous studies have shown salamanders alter expression of hemoglobin genes during metamorphosis, but it is not known if these genes are also differentially expressed as a response to hypoxia in aquatic salamanders. Salamanders of the genus Ambystoma express two isoforms of the α subunit of hemoglobin, α major (αM) and α minor (αm), of whichαm has higher oxygen affinity but is expressed at a lower level in terrestrial salamanders. The present investigation utilizes RT-qPCR to compare relative expression of αMand αmin a neotenic population of tiger salamanders (A. tigrinum)at varying dissolved oxygen levels. These results will help determine if increased oxygen-binding of hemoglobin under hypoxic conditions is caused by differential expression of these globin genes. This research was performed or a Biology Capstone project.
College
College of Science & Engineering
Department
Biology
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Amy Runck
Location
Ballroom - Kryzsko Commons
Start Date
4-18-2024 2:00 PM
End Date
4-18-2024 3:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
2b=2pm-3pm
Poster Number
13
Quantifying Differential Expression of Hemoglobin Genes in Tiger Salamanders (Ambystomatigrinum) in Response to Environmental Hypoxia
Ballroom - Kryzsko Commons
The ability to alter phenotype in response to environmental changes, termed phenotypic plasticity, has significant implications for how an organism responds to environmental stressors. Salamanders (order Urodela) offer a unique opportunity to investigate this phenomenon because their oxygen transport needs vary greatly depending on whether they are aquatic or terrestrial. For aquatic individuals, one significant potential stressor is decreased dissolved oxygen in the water(hypoxia). Previous studies have shown salamanders alter expression of hemoglobin genes during metamorphosis, but it is not known if these genes are also differentially expressed as a response to hypoxia in aquatic salamanders. Salamanders of the genus Ambystoma express two isoforms of the α subunit of hemoglobin, α major (αM) and α minor (αm), of whichαm has higher oxygen affinity but is expressed at a lower level in terrestrial salamanders. The present investigation utilizes RT-qPCR to compare relative expression of αMand αmin a neotenic population of tiger salamanders (A. tigrinum)at varying dissolved oxygen levels. These results will help determine if increased oxygen-binding of hemoglobin under hypoxic conditions is caused by differential expression of these globin genes. This research was performed or a Biology Capstone project.
