Possible role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in osmoregulation via the endocrine control of the gill in a teleost, the eel, Anguilla anguilla

• Main Authors: Lafont, Anne-Gaelle, Fitzpatrick, Thomas, Rankin, J. Cliff, Dufour, Sylvie, Fouchereau-Peron, Martine
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Elsevier 2006
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QH301 Biology; QH426 Genetics; Anguilla anguilla
• Online Access: http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/575/; http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T0M-4HDG92S-2&_user=495973&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000024198&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=495973&md5=fed6ed9630136e94bfc9ecf1a6d00dbe

Osmoregulation is a major challenge in aquatic animals involving a complex endocrine control. We investigated the potential role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, a neuromediator in mammals) in the endocrine control of the gill in a teleost, the eel. Transfer from freshwater to seawater induced an hyperosmolality and a concomitant large increase in plasma CGRP levels. Specific CGRP binding sites were characterized in the gill and their number was up-regulated after seawater transfer. This study suggests that the endocrine control of gill function during osmoregulation may represent an ancient role of CGRP in vertebrates.