Conference Paper
Astyanax mexicanus as a model to study metabolism and the evolution of the digestive system
Riddle, M. and Tobin, C.J.
Record Number:
3084
Year:
2015
Journal:
AIM 2015
Abstract:
To survive and thrive in unique environments animals have evolved a host of
mechanisms to maximize the intake, storage, and use of energy. Astyanax mexicanus is a
proven model for understanding the genetic basis of adaptation and represents a
particularly strong system to investigate evolutionary changes in metabolism. To exploit
the prevailing food source in an environment an animal can increase the amount eaten
during rare times of abundance, alter digestive transit time to extract more from the food
ingested, and/or alter the storage and processing of fats. There is evidence that these
strategies have been adopted in the cave morphs of A. mexicanus; recently published data
indicate that genes known to regulate human appetite (MC4R) are altered in the cavefish
leading to binge eating. We also found that the Tinaja digestive tract is longer than the
surface digestive tract possible representing increased digestive absorption capacity. In
addition, we observed that the color of Tinaja visceral adipose tissue is strikingly
different from surface possibly representing altered carotenoid absorption or metabolism;
Tinaja visceral fat is yellow, while surface fat is white. Interestingly, while Pachon fat is
similar to Tinaja, Molino fat is white like surface fat. These findings are leading us
toward a better understanding of the adaptations used to survive in an environment with
infrequent and minimal food.
Times Cited:
1
Relevent Species: