First Steps toward the Giant Panda Metabolome Database: Untargeted Metabolomics of Feces, Urine, Serum, and Saliva by 1H NMR

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Abstract
Differences in the concentration of metabolites in the biofluids of animals closely reflect their physiological diversities. In order to set the basis for a metabolomic atlas for giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), we characterized the metabolome of healthy giant panda feces (23), urine (16), serum (6) and saliva (4) samples by means of 1H-NMR. A total of 107 metabolites and a core metabolome of 12 metabolites was quantified across the four biological matrices. By means of a two steps protocol based on univariate and robust principal component analysis, we were able to describe how the molecular profile observed in giant panda urine and feces was affected by gender and age. Among the molecules modified by age in feces, fucose plays a peculiar role, because related to the digestion of bamboo’s hemicellulose, thought to be the main source of energy of giant panda. A metagenomic investigation directed towards this molecule showed that its concentration was indeed positively related to the two-component systems pathway and negatively related to the amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism pathway. Such work is meant to provide a robust framework for further -omics researches on giant panda to accelerate our understanding of the interaction of giant panda with its natural environment.
Funding Information
  • China Scholarship Council (201606910076)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (31400066)
  • Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals (KLSFGAGP2020.003)

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