Roles of crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone in ionic and metabolic homeostasis in the Christmas Island blue crab, Discoplax celeste.

Lucy M. Turner*, Simon G. Webster, Stephen Morris

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence implicating the involvement of crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone (CHH) in ionic homeostasis in decapod crustaceans. However, little is known regarding hormonally influenced osmoregulatory processes in terrestrial decapods. As many terrestrial decapods experience opposing seasonal demands upon ionoregulatory physiologies, we reasoned that these would make interesting models in which to study the effect of CHH upon these phenomena. In particular, those (tropical) species that also undergo seasonal migrations might be especially informative, as we know relatively little regarding the nature of CHHs in terrestrial decapods, and hormonally mediated responses to seasonal changes in metabolic demands might also be superimposed or otherwise integrated with those associated with ionic homeostasis. Using Discoplax celeste as a model crab that experiences seasonal extremes in water availability, and exhibits diurnal and migratory activity patterns, we identified two CHHs in the sinus gland. We biochemically characterised (cDNA cloning) one CHH and functionally characterised (in terms of dose-dependent hyperglycaemic responses and glucose-dependent negative feedback loops) both CHHs. Whole-animal in situ branchial chamber (22)NaCl perfusion experiments showed that injection of both CHHs increased gill Na(+) uptake in a seasonally dependent manner, and (51)Cr-EDTA clearance experiments demonstrated that CHH increased urine production by the antennal gland. Seasonal and salinity-dependent differences in haemolymph CHH titre further implicated CHH in osmoregulatory processes. Intriguingly, CHH appeared to have no effect on gill Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase or V-ATPase activity, suggesting unknown mechanisms of this hormone's action on Na(+) transport across gill epithelia.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1191-1201
Number of pages0
JournalJ Exp Biol
Volume216
Issue number0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2013

Keywords

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Arthropod Proteins
  • Australia
  • Blood Glucose
  • Brachyura
  • Chromatography
  • High Pressure Liquid
  • Chromium Radioisotopes
  • Feedback
  • Physiological
  • Fluoroimmunoassay
  • Hemolymph
  • Homeostasis
  • Invertebrate Hormones
  • Lactic Acid
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Seasons
  • Sodium Radioisotopes
  • Spectrometry
  • Mass
  • Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Water-Electrolyte Balance

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Roles of crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone in ionic and metabolic homeostasis in the Christmas Island blue crab, Discoplax celeste.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this