Photoperiodic regulation of gene expression in brown and white adipose tissue of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus).

Siberian hamsters exhibit seasonal fluctuations in white adipose tissue (WAT) mass, with peaks in long "summerlike" days (LDs) and nadirs in short "winterlike" days (SDs). These responses can be mimicked in the laboratory after transfer from LDs to SDs. The purpose of the present study was to test whether changes in WAT and brown adipose tissue (BAT) gene expression that are mediated by the sympathetic nervous system in other obesity models are also associated with seasonal adiposity changes in Siberian hamsters. SDs decreased WAT mass and leptin mRNA, increased WAT beta(3)-adrenoceptor mRNA, and induced retroperitoneal WAT uncoupling protein-1 mRNA (the latter measured by RT-PCR, others measured by ribonuclease protection assay) while increasing BAT uncoupling protein-1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 mRNAs. These effects were not due to SD-induced gonadal regression and largely occurred before the usual SD-induced decreases in food intake. Thus the SD-induced decreased adiposity of Siberian hamsters may be due to a coordinated suite of WAT and BAT gene transcription changes ultimately increasing lipid mobilization and utilization.