title: Short- and long-term, salinity-induced modulation of V-ATPase activity in the posterior gills of the true freshwater crab, Dilocarcinus pagei (Brachyura, Trichodactylidae).
abstract: To better understand the biochemical mechanisms underlying anisosmotic extracellular regulation in the freshwater Brachyura, we kinetically characterized the V-ATPase from the posterior gills of Dilocarcinus pagei, acclimated for 10days to salinities up to 21‰. Specific activity was highest in fresh water (26.5±2.1U mg(-1)), decreasing in 5‰ to 21‰, attaining 3-fold less at 15‰. Apparent affinities for ATP and Mg(2+) respectively increased 3.2- and 2-fold at 10‰, suggesting expression of different isoenzymes. In a 240-h time-course study of exposure to 21‰, maximum specific activity decreased 2.5- to 4-fold within 1 to 24h while apparent affinities for ATP and Mg(2+) respectively increased by 12-fold within 24h and 2.4-fold after 1h, unchanged thereafter. K(I) for bafilomycin A(1) decreased 150-fold after 1h, remaining constant up to 120h. This is the first kinetic analysis of V-ATPase specific activity in crustacean gills during salinity acclimation. Our findings indicate active gill Cl(-) uptake by D. pagei in fresh water, and short- and long-term down-regulation of V-ATPase-driven ion uptake processes during salinity exposure, aiding in comprehension of the biochemical adaptations underpinning the establishment of the Brachyura in fresh water.
authors: Departamento de Química, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
authors: Kelly Cristina Silva
authors: KC
authors: Firmino
authors: Rogério Oliveira
authors: RO
authors: Faleiros
authors: Douglas Chodi
authors: DC
authors: Masui
authors: John Campbell
authors: JC
authors: McNamara
authors: Rosa Prazeres Melo
authors: RP
authors: Furriel