title: Isoform expression of Na+-K+-ATPase alpha-subunit in gills of the teleost Oreochromis mossambicus.
abstract: Three isoform-specific antibodies, 6F against the alpha1-isoform of the avian sodium pump, HERED against the rat alpha2-isoform, and Ax2 against the rat alpha3-isoform, were used to detect the expression of Na+-K+-ATPase alpha-subunits in gills of a teleost, the tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Tilapia gill tissue showed positive reactions to antibodies specific for alpha1- and alpha3-isoforms. The results of immunoblots were converted to numerical values (relative intensities) by image analysis for comparisons. Relative amounts of alpha1-like isoform alone and consequently the ratio of alpha1-like to alpha3-like isoforms were higher in gills of seawater-adapted tilapia than in those of freshwater-adapted ones, indicating that the two isoforms respond differently to environmental salinities. In the subsequent immunocytochemical experiments, gill mitochondria-rich cells were demonstrated to immunoreact with antibodies specific for alpha1- and alpha3-isoforms. alpha1-like and alpha3-like isoforms of gill Na+-K+-ATPase are suggested to be involved in the ion- and osmoregulation mechanisms in tilapia. Moreover, differential expressions of two isoforms may be associated with different functions, secretion and uptake of ions and acid-base regulation, in gills of seawater- and freshwater-adapted tilapia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, and Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003208:Concanavalin A; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005880:Gills / Q000201:enzymology*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D051381:Rats; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000032:analysis*; D017210:Tilapia / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D003208:Concanavalin A; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase