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Copper transport in gill cells of Ucides cordatus, a mangrove crab
Author(s) -
GRANADO SÁ MARINA,
ORTEGA PRISCILA,
ZANOTTO FLAVIA PINHEIRO
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.813.6
Subject(s) - gill , calcium , ionophore , extracellular , copper , ion transporter , verapamil , amiloride , efflux , biophysics , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , sodium , membrane , fishery , organic chemistry , fish <actinopterygii>
For most aquatic animals, the gills are important site for respiration, excretion, acid‐base balance and ion regulation. The branchial epithelium is exposed to the environment, which is frequently polluted. The aim of this work was characterize copper (Cu) transport using a fluorescent dye, Phen Green, in gill cells of a mangrove crab, found in polluted regions of Brazil. The results showed that CuCl 2 added in crescent concentrations (0,0.025, 0.15, 0.275, 0.55 and 1.11μM) showed the same kinetic uptake in gill cells and a strong regulation in levels of intracellular Cu, independent of Cu concentration. Verapamil and nifedipine, known to inhibit calcium channels in apical membrane, also inhibited Cu uptake. Amiloride caused a greater efflux of copper from intra to extracellular medium, and the same results were found using calcium ionophore, which creates artificial calcium channels in plasma membrane. Besides that, the gill cells were incubated in ATP, and there were no changes in copper uptake. Caffeine, on the other hand, inhibited Cu uptake. The results showed that copper uptake is dependent of calcium uptake in gill cells, regulated by Ca channels and by Na/Ca exchangers. Supported by a CNPq fellowship to MGS, Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa (MACKPESQUISA) and a FAPESP Grant (06/52498‐9).