title: Endothelin receptors in teleost fishes: cardiovascular effects and branchial distribution.
abstract: By observing gill blood flow using epi-illuminating microscopy, in parallel with cardiovascular recordings and immunohistochemistry, we have tried to identify the receptor mediating endothelin (ET) type 1 (ET1)-induced pillar cell contraction in the lamellae of the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Intra-arterial injection of the specific ET(B) receptor agonist BQ-3020 induced dose-dependent increases in ventral aortic blood pressure, gill vascular resistance, and pillar cell area (indicating contraction). The specific ET(A) receptor antagonist BQ-610 did not prevent either pillar cell contraction or increased gill vascular resistance induced by ET-1 injection. The cardiovascular responses were corroborated by the detection of ET(B) receptor-like immunoreactivity (IR) associated with pillar cells in the lamellar region and in neuroendocrine cells. ET(B) receptor-like IR was also found lining the muscle layer of lamellar arterioles and filament arteries. In contrast, strong ET(A) receptor-like IR was found on branchial nerves throughout the filaments. In addition, ET-like IR was concentrated in neuroendocrine cells in the filament and lamellae. We also present data suggesting that ET-mediated pillar cell contraction is widespread among teleost fish, including Atlantic cod, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius), and mackerel (Scomber scombrus). Taken together, our results suggest that an ET(B)-like receptor mediates pillar cell contraction in fishes, whereas ET(A)-like receptors may serve another function in the gill, inasmuch as ET(A) receptor-like IR is found on branchial nerves.
authors.affiliation: Physiology Program, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1041, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kåre-Olav
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Stensløkken
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sundin
authors.forename: Göran E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016232:Endothelins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D005880:Gills / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; C075771:BQ 3020