Gene expression analysis of inguinal white adipose tissue upon cold exposure in ferrets: mainly metabolism is effected

Male ferrets, aged 3 months, were divided into two group: one group remained at 22 degrees Celsius, while the other group was acclimatized to 4 degrees Celsius for one week. After sacrification, inguinal white adipose tissues were dissected, and used for RNA isolation and subsequent global gene expression profiling using custom Agilent ferret-specific 2x400K microarrays. Data analysis indicated that mainly metabolism is significantly upregulated. When we focus on the top 50 significantly upregulated transcripts we identified: 7 genes involved in the structure and actin metabolism; 2 genes involved in lipid metabolism and 5 genes involved in electron transport chain in mitochondria and oxidative phosphorylation, suggesting an increased fatty acid catabolism; 4 genes involved in skeletal muscle or muscle contraction and 6 genes involved in skeletal development and 1 gene involved in brown and white adipose differentiation, suggesting a transformation of the cell population; 6 genes involved in amino acid catabolism; and 19 others genes involved in other processes