Comparative Analysis of Exercise-induced Transcriptomic Responses in Human and Mouse Homologous Genes: Divergence and Convergence Based on The GEPREP Database
10.16476/j.pibb.2025.0204
- VernacularTitle:人鼠同源基因运动转录组学的比较：基于GEPREP数据库的异同分析
- Author:
Qian SUN
1
;
Wei-Chu TAO
1
;
Ru WANG
1
;
Bing-Xiang XU
1
Author Information
1. School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
exercise transcriptomics;
homologous genes;
aerobic exercise;
acute exercise;
long-term exercise
- From:
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics
2025;52(6):1617-1630
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Exercise, as a non-pharmacological intervention, holds a pivotal role in metabolic regulation, neuroplasticity, and immune homeostasis maintenance. However, human exercise studies are constrained by ethical limitations in tissue sampling, especially for key organs such as muscles and the brain. Meanwhile, rodent models like mice exhibit physiological differences in exercise patterns and metabolic rates from human. Despite these challenges, approximately 70% of human and mouse genes are conserved, providing a molecular basis for cross-species comparisons. This paper leverages the GEPREP database, which integrates human and mouse exercise transcriptomic data from multiple platforms, to conduct a comprehensive cross-species analysis of exercise-induced gene expression patterns. We employ a stringent data standardization process, including the conversion of orthologous genes and the filtering of low-expressing genes, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the analysis. A mixed-effects model is utilized to assess differential gene expression across multiple cohorts, identifying genes that are significantly upregulated or downregulated in response to exercise. The analysis reveals a complex pattern of gene expression, with a significant number of genes showing conserved responses between humans and mice, particularly in acute aerobic exercise, where genes such as ATF3, PPARGC1A, and ANKRD1 are commonly upregulated. These genes are implicated in muscle stress response, metabolic regulation, and muscle adaptation, highlighting the shared molecular pathways activated by exercise across species. However, the study also uncovers substantial species-specific differences in gene expression, especially in chronic aerobic exercise, where the number of divergently regulated genes increases. These differences suggest that while some fundamental biological processes are conserved, the specific regulatory mechanisms and gene expression patterns can vary significantly between humans and mice. Functional enrichment analysis further reveals that conserved genes are involved in muscle development, inflammation regulation, and energy metabolism, while species-specific genes are associated with ion transport, extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, and muscle contraction, indicating the multifaceted impact of exercise on skeletal muscle function. The findings emphasize the importance of considering species-specific differences when interpreting results from animal models and translating them to human health applications. The study highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the molecular underpinnings of exercise-induced adaptations and underscores the value of cross-species comparative analyses in uncovering the evolutionary and functional basis of these responses. Future research should focus on integrating multi-omics data and expanding the analysis to include other tissues to provide a more comprehensive view of the systemic effects of exercise. Additionally, the development of species-specific gene editing models and the validation of key genes in exercise physiology will further enhance our understanding of the evolutionary logic behind exercise interventions. This study not only provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of exercise-induced adaptations but also underscores the necessity of validating findings from animal models in human cohorts to ensure the reliability and applicability of translational research in exercise science. By addressing these aspects, the study aims to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical applications, ultimately contributing to the development of personalized exercise prescriptions and interventions that can effectively promote health and prevent diseases.
