title: Cortisol regulation of ion transporter mRNA in Atlantic salmon gill and the effect of salinity on the signaling pathway.
abstract: Based on real-time RT-PCR, analysis of transcripts of selected ion-regulatory proteins (Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha1a and alpha1b subunit, Na(+), K(+), 2Cl(-) cotransporter, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and H(+)-ATPase B-subunit), the regulatory role of cortisol and the associated receptor signaling pathway (glucocorticoid (GR) versus mineralocorticoid (MR)) of cortisol was investigated in the salmon gill. Using a gill organ culture technique, the effect of cortisol with and without addition of specific hormone receptor antagonists (RU486 and spironolactone) was analyzed in gills from freshwater (FW) and seawater (SW) acclimated fish. The effect of cortisol was highly dependent on acclimation to salinity. In FW, cortisol stimulated the transcript levels of CFTR-I and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha1a and alpha1b. Addition of RU486 totally abolished the cortisol effects on CFTR-I and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha1b, suggesting that signaling was mediated via GR. Interestingly, both spironolactone and RU486 were able to inhibit the cortisol effect on Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha1a indicating a role for both MR and GR in regulation of this target gene. In SW, cortisol increased the transcript levels of CFTR-I, CFTR-II, Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha1a and alpha1b, and NKCC. Interestingly, the effect of cortisol on CFTR-I and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha1a was mediated through GR and MR respectively, while both GR and MR signaling were required in the regulation of CFTR-II and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha1b. In FW gills, GR1 and MR transcript levels were not significantly affected by cortisol. In SW gills, GR1 and MR transcripts were downregulated by cortisol; GR1 was regulated via the MR and MR regulation was mediated via GR.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kiilerich
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kristiansen
authors.forename: Steffen S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Madsen
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000378:metabolism; D005880:Gills / Q000378:metabolism*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017136:Ion Transport; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020317:Salmo salar / Q000502:physiology*; D012623:Seawater; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D028021:Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters / Q000378:metabolism; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid; D028021:Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; D015735:Mifepristone; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D006854:Hydrocortisone