Intracellular pH regulation in mantle epithelial cells of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas

• Shell formation and repair occurs under the control of mantle epithelial cells in bivalve molluscs. However, limited information is available on the precise acid-base regulatory machinery present within these cells, which are fundamental to calcification. Here, we isolate mantle epithelial cells from the Pacific oyster,Crassostrea gigasand utilise live cell imaging in combination with the fluorescent dye, BCECF-AM to study intracellular pH (pH(i)) regulation. To elucidate the involvement of various ion transport mechanisms, modified seawater solutions (low sodium, low bicarbonate) and specific inhibitors for acid-base proteins were used. Diminished pH recovery in the absence of Na(+)and under inhibition of sodium/hydrogen exchangers (NHEs) implicate the involvement of a sodium dependent cellular proton extrusion mechanism. In addition, pH recovery was reduced under inhibition of carbonic anhydrases. These data provide the foundation for a better understanding of acid-base regulation underlying the physiology of calcification in bivalves.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Mollusc

Calcification

Acid-base

Ion transport proteins

oyster crassostrea-gigas

carbonic-anhydrase activity

acid-base status

ocean acidification

energy-metabolism

na+/h+-exchanger

mollusk

biomineralization

exposure

calcification

Physiology

Zoology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)