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 fro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Comparative Physiology B
Main Authors: Ramesh, Kirti, Hu, Marian Y., Melzner, Frank, Bleich, Markus, Himmerkus, Nina
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Springer 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/50504/
https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/50504/1/Ramesh2020_Article_IntracellularPHRegulationInMan-1.pdf
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-020-01303-3
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Summary: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 gigas and utilise live cell imaging in combination with the fluorescent dye, BCECF-AM to study intracellular pH (pHi) 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.