Genetic and Functional Characterization of Novel Brown-Like Adipocytes Around the Lamprey Brain.

During the process of vertebrate evolution, many thermogenic organs and mechanisms have appeared. Mammalian brown adipose tissue (BAT) generates heat through the uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria, acts as a natural defense against hypothermia and inhibits the development of obesity. Although the existence, cellular origin and molecular identity of BAT in humans have been well studied, the genetic and functional characteristics of BAT from lampreys remain unknown.

[The identification and verification of species-specific microRNAs and their precursors in Lampetra japonica].

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate genes which are involved in various biological processes of metabolism at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In recent years, the existence and function of miRNAs have been extensively studied in plants and animals with the application of deep sequencing and microarray technology. In this study, small RNAs from leucocytes of Lampetra japonica (L.