Switch on and switch off phenomenon of liver gluconeogenic function in lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis L.) under the influence of season and temperature

On the mechanism(s) of membrane permeability transition in liver mitochondria of lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis L.: insights from cadmium

Previously we have shown that opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in its low conductance state is the case in hepatocytes of the Baltic lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis L.) during reversible metabolic depression taking place in the period of its prespawning migration when the exogenous feeding is switched off. The depression is observed in the last year of the lamprey life cycle and is conditioned by reversible mitochondrial dysfunction (mitochondrial uncoupling in winter and coupling in spring). To further elucidate the mechanism(s) of induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in the lamprey liver, we used Cd(2+) and Ca(2+) plus Pi as the pore inducers. We found that Ca(2+) plus Pi induced the high-amplitude swelling of the isolated "winter" mitochondria both in isotonic sucrose and ammonium nitrate medium while both low and high Cd(2+) did not produce the mitochondrial swelling in these media. Low Cd(2+) enhanced the inhibition of basal respiration rate of the "winter" mitochondria energized by NAD-dependent substrates whereas the same concentrations of the heavy metal evoked its partial stimulation on FAD-dependent substrates. The above changes produced by Cd(2+) or Ca(2+) plus Pi in the "winter" mitochondria were only weakly (if so) sensitive to cyclosporine A (a potent pharmacological desensitizer of the nonselective pore) added alone and they were not sensitive to dithiothreitol (a dithiol reducing agent). Under monitoring of the transmembrane potential of the "spring" lamprey liver mitochondria, we revealed that Cd(2+) produced its decrease on both types of the respiratory substrates used that was strongly hampered by cyclosporine A, and the membrane potential was partially restored by dithiothreitol. The effects of different membrane permeability modulators on the lamprey liver mitochondria function and the seasonal changes in their action are discussed.

Reversible metabolic depression in lamprey hepatocytes during prespawning migration: dynamics of mitochondrial membrane potential

The lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis L.) is an extant representative of the ancient vertebrate group of Agnathans. During the prespawning migration (the river period of life from autumn until spring) lamprey hepatocytes exhibit widely different energy states: a high-energy state in autumn and spring, corresponding to a normal physiological standard, and a low-energy state in winter, which is provoked by prolonged starvation and profound metabolic arrest. In spring the restoration of energy status (return to an active state) is associated with hormonally induced lipolysis of the lipid droplets stored in the cells. Lamprey hepatocytes demonstrate an aerobic metabolism based on oxidation of free fatty acids. The dynamics of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured throughout the prespawning migration. Pharmacological inhibition of the electron transport chain decreased the MMP and caused extensive depletion of cellular ATP without loss of cell viability. The potential molecular mechanisms responsible for winter metabolic depression in lamprey hepatocytes are discussed.

Glucose and free amino acids in the blood of lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis L.) and frogs (Rana temporaria L.) under prolonged starvation

The content variation dynamics of glucose and free amino acids in blood plasma was followed for lampreys and frogs from autumn till spring, when the exogenous feeding is switched off. In October, the glucose level is rather high (8-10 mM) in blood plasma of both lampreys and frogs. It falls by 50% during winter and falls to a critically low level (1-2 mM) during spring. The lamprey plasma amino acid levels increase by 74% from November to April and thus reach the lower limit known for mammals. The amount of free amino acids in frog plasma decreases by 40% by spring in comparison with the values in autumn. More intensive proteolysis in lamprey tissues compared with that in frog tissues has been confirmed by quantitatively determining leucine, isoleucine, and valine in the blood of these animals. Besides these three amino acids, alanine, glycine, lysine, threonine and, in certain periods, tyrosine have been found to be quantitatively significant in the plasma of both animals.