K Peng

Prof. Dr. K Peng


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

14Years (2013-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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Journal Article
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FJFeng Jin
Feng Jin
YYYunfei You
Yunfei You
JWJunliang Wan
Junliang Wan
HZHuaiyi Zhu
Huaiyi Zhu
KPK Peng
K Peng
YHYijiang Hong
Yijiang Hong
Hibernation serves as an energy-conserving strategy that enables animals to withstand harsh environments by reducing their metabolic rate significantly. However, the mechanisms underlying energy adaptation in hibernating ectotherms, such as Pelodiscus sinensis, remain contentious. This paper first reports the decrease in lipid levels and the expression of metabolism-related genes in P. sinensis during hibernation. The results of physiological and biochemical analysis showed that adipocyte cell size was reduced and liver lipid droplet (LD) contents were decreased during hibernation in P. sinensis. Concurrently, serum levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) were diminished (n = 8, p < 0.01), while an increase in serum glucose (Glu) (n = 8, p < 0.01) was noted among hibernating P. sinensis. These observations suggest a shift in energy metabolism during hibernation. To gain insights into the molecular mechanisms, we performed integrated transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses of adipose tissue and livers from summer-active versus overwintering P. sinensis, which revealed downregulation of free fatty acids (FFAs), triglycerides (TGs), diglycerides (DGs), and ceramides (Cers) during hibernation. The results of GSEA analysis showed that metabolic pathways associated with lipid metabolism, including glycerolipid metabolism and regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, were suppressed significantly. Notably, acute cold exposure induced significant downregulation of genes related to lipolysis such as PNPLA2, ABHD5, LPL, CPT1A, and PPARα. The results indicate that lipolysis is suppressed during hibernation in P. sinensis. Collectively, these findings deepen our understanding of survival mechanisms and elucidate the unique energy adaptation strategies employed by hibernating ectotherms. Future research should explore the implications of these findings for the conservation of ectotherms and the applications for artificially inducing hibernation.

28 August 2013 in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Proteomics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JSJianwu Shi
Jianwu Shi
KPK Peng
K Peng
JSJunqing Sheng
Junqing Sheng
JWJunhua Wang
Junhua Wang
WYWeijia Yi
Weijia Yi
YHYijiang Hong
Yijiang Hong