Integrative Transcription Start Site Analysis and Physiological Phenotyping Reveal Torpor-Specific Expressions in Mouse Skeletal Muscle

Abstract

Mice enter an active hypometabolic state, called daily torpor, when they experience a lowered caloric intake under cool ambient temperature (TA). During torpor, the oxygen consumption rate (VO2) drops to less than 30% of the normal rate without harming the body. This safe but severe reduction in metabolism is attractive for various clinical applications; however, the mechanism and molecules involved are unclear. Therefore, here we systematically analyzed the expression landscape of transcription start sites (TSS) in mouse skeletal muscles under various metabolic states to identify torpor-specific transcription patterns. We analyzed the soleus muscles from 38 mice in torpid, non-torpid, and torpor-deprived conditions, and identified 287 torpor-specific promoters. Furthermore, we found that the transcription factor ATF3 was highly expressed during torpor deprivation and that the ATF3-binding motif was enriched in torpor-specific promoters. Our results demonstrate that the mouse torpor has a distinct hereditary genetic background and its peripheral tissues are useful for studying active hypometabolism.