Gill Na+, K+-ATPase as a function of size and salinity in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Tiandao Li (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
Abstract: Some kinetic properties of gill Na+,K+-ATPase of the blue crab, Callinectes
sapidus, and its relation to osmotic regulation in juvenile and adult crabs were analyzed.
Results suggest the presence of some differences in transport mechanisms for juvenile and
adult blue crabs to maintain hemolymph concentration in dilute media.
Adult and sub-adult crabs demonstrated fairly low levels of Na+,K+-ATPase
activity in both anterior and posterior gills regardless of acclimation salinity. Juvenile blue
crabs had much higher levels of Na+,K+-ATPase activity in both anterior and posterior gills
relative to adults. Crabs acclimated to low salinity showed a significant increase in
enzyme activity, both in anterior and posterior gills. The levels of enzyme activity in the
anterior gills of juveniles showed a marked increase at low salinities. Enzyme activity in
the posterior gills of juvenile crabs at 150 mOsm increased (35%) over sea water.
However, there is a markedly higher specific activity increase (80%) in the anterior gills of
smaller, juvenile crabs at this lower salinity. Sex had no effect on the enzyme activity
relative to salinity.
Abrupt transfer of juvenile and adult crabs from 1000mOsm to 150mOsm resulted
in a gradual change in the Na+,K+-ATPase activity that reached steady-state levels within
7-10 days after the transfer. The time course for the increase in activity was preceded by
an increase in the expression of the Na+,K+-ATPase a-subunit mRNA.
The Na+,K+-ATPase of the posterior gills of both juvenile and sub-adult crabs
showed an increased affinity for ATP at lower salinities, while that of the posterior gills of
juvenile crabs had a higher affinity for Na+ than that of sub-adults at low salinity.
Gill Na+, K+-ATPase as a function of size and salinity in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Callinectes--Effect of potassium on, Callinectes--Effect of salt on
- Subjects
- Callinectes -- Effect of salt on
- Callinectes -- Effect of potassium on