Multivariate Analysis of Sagebrush Metabolism by Sage-Grouse Liver Enzymes
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Eric Friedlander, College of Idaho; Dr. Jennifer Forbey, Boise State University; and Dr. Carolyn Dadabay, College of Idaho
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is one of few herbivore species that can metabolize the defensive compounds found in sagebrush, which can comprise up to 90% of its winter diet. Understanding the mechanism of herbivore detoxification may inform the management of the sagebrush biome, one of the largest ecosystems in the United States. To investigate this process, extracts from Early (Artemisia arbuscula ssp. Longiloba), Green (Artemisia tridentata), White (Artemisia ludoviciana), and Wyoming (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) sagebrush were incubated with cytochrome P450 (CYP) and uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes isolated from the livers of three sage-grouse individuals for 0, 2, 5, 15, and 30 minutes. Sagebrush metabolites were separated and quantified through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Across treatments, metabolite profiles shifted from predominantly hydrophobic to more hydrophilic compounds, consistent with enzymatic detoxification. ANOVA-simultaneous components analysis (ASCA) was conducted to decompose variance across sagebrush species and incubation timepoints. Several compounds were identified that demonstrate species-specific changes across incubation time. These findings suggest that sage-grouse CYP and UGT enzymes exhibit species-specific metabolic activity, enabling detoxification of chemically distinct sagebrush species. This work provides insight into the biochemical basis of sage-grouse dietary preferences and may inform conservation and sagebrush habitat management strategies.
Multivariate Analysis of Sagebrush Metabolism by Sage-Grouse Liver Enzymes
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is one of few herbivore species that can metabolize the defensive compounds found in sagebrush, which can comprise up to 90% of its winter diet. Understanding the mechanism of herbivore detoxification may inform the management of the sagebrush biome, one of the largest ecosystems in the United States. To investigate this process, extracts from Early (Artemisia arbuscula ssp. Longiloba), Green (Artemisia tridentata), White (Artemisia ludoviciana), and Wyoming (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) sagebrush were incubated with cytochrome P450 (CYP) and uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes isolated from the livers of three sage-grouse individuals for 0, 2, 5, 15, and 30 minutes. Sagebrush metabolites were separated and quantified through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Across treatments, metabolite profiles shifted from predominantly hydrophobic to more hydrophilic compounds, consistent with enzymatic detoxification. ANOVA-simultaneous components analysis (ASCA) was conducted to decompose variance across sagebrush species and incubation timepoints. Several compounds were identified that demonstrate species-specific changes across incubation time. These findings suggest that sage-grouse CYP and UGT enzymes exhibit species-specific metabolic activity, enabling detoxification of chemically distinct sagebrush species. This work provides insight into the biochemical basis of sage-grouse dietary preferences and may inform conservation and sagebrush habitat management strategies.