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Leonard EM, Porteus CS, Brink D, Milsom WK. Fish gill chemosensing: knowledge gaps and inconsistencies. J Comp Physiol B 2024:10.1007/s00360-024-01553-5. [PMID: 38758303 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-024-01553-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
In this review, we explore the inconsistencies in the data and gaps in our knowledge that exist in what is currently known regarding gill chemosensors which drive the cardiorespiratory reflexes in fish. Although putative serotonergic neuroepithelial cells (NEC) dominate the literature, it is clear that other neurotransmitters are involved (adrenaline, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, purines, and dopamine). And although we assume that these agents act on neurons synapsing with the NECs or in the afferent or efferent limbs of the paths between chemosensors and central integration sites, this process remains elusive and may explain current discrepancies or species differences in the literature. To date it has been impossible to link the distribution of NECs to species sensitivity to different stimuli or fish lifestyles and while the gills have been shown to be the primary sensing site for respiratory gases, the location (gills, oro-branchial cavity or elsewhere) and orientation (external/water or internal/blood sensing) of the NECs are highly variable between species of water and air breathing fish. Much of what has been described so far comes from studies of hypoxic responses in fish, however, changes in CO2, ammonia and lactate have all been shown to elicit cardio-respiratory responses and all have been suggested to arise from stimulation of gill NECs. Our view of the role of NECs is broadening as we begin to understand the polymodal nature of these cells. We begin by presenting the fundamental picture of gill chemosensing that has developed, followed by some key unanswered questions about gill chemosensing in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Leonard
- Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Cosima S Porteus
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Deidre Brink
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William K Milsom
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Perry SF, Pan YK, Gilmour KM. Insights into the control and consequences of breathing adjustments in fishes-from larvae to adults. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1065573. [PMID: 36793421 PMCID: PMC9923008 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1065573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Adjustments of ventilation in fishes to regulate the volume of water flowing over the gills are critically important responses to match branchial gas transfer with metabolic needs and to defend homeostasis during environmental fluctuations in O2 and/or CO2 levels. In this focused review, we discuss the control and consequences of ventilatory adjustments in fish, briefly summarizing ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia before describing the current state of knowledge of the chemoreceptor cells and molecular mechanisms involved in sensing O2 and CO2. We emphasize, where possible, insights gained from studies on early developmental stages. In particular, zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae have emerged as an important model for investigating the molecular mechanisms of O2 and CO2 chemosensing as well as the central integration of chemosensory information. Their value stems, in part, from their amenability to genetic manipulation, which enables the creation of loss-of-function mutants, optogenetic manipulation, and the production of transgenic fish with specific genes linked to fluorescent reporters or biosensors.
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Clifford AM, Wilkie MP, Edwards SL, Tresguerres M, Goss GG. Dining on the dead in the deep: Active NH 4 + excretion via Na + /H + (NH 4 + ) exchange in the highly ammonia tolerant Pacific hagfish, Eptatretus stoutii. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2022; 236:e13845. [PMID: 35620804 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
AIM Pacific hagfish are exceptionally tolerant to high environmental ammonia (HEA). Here, we elucidated a cellular mechanism that enables hagfish to actively excrete ammonia against steep ammonia gradients expected to be found inside a decomposing whale carcass. METHODS Hagfish were exposed to varying concentrations of HEA in the presence or absence of environmental Na+ , while plasma ammonia levels were tracked. 14 C-methylammonium was used as a proxy for NH4 + to measure efflux in whole animals and in isolated gill pouches; the latter allowed us to assess the effects of amiloride specifically on Na+ /H+ exchangers (NHEs) in gill cells. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were utilized to evaluate the abundance and sub-cellular localization of Rhesus glycoprotein (Rh) channels in the response to HEA. RESULTS Hagfish actively excreted NH4 + against steep inwardly directed ENH4 + (ΔENH4 + ~ 35 mV) and pNH3 (ΔpNH3 ~ 2000 μtorr) gradients. Active NH4 + excretion and plasma ammonia hypo-regulation were contingent on the presence of environmental Na+ , indicating a Na+ /NH4 + exchange mechanism. Active NH4 + excretion across isolated gill pouches was amiloride-sensitive. Exposure to HEA resulted in decreased abundance of Rh channels in the apical membrane of gill ionocytes. CONCLUSIONS During HEA exposure, hagfish can actively excrete ammonia against a steep concentration gradient using apical NHEs energized by Na+ -K+ -ATPase in gill ionocytes. Additionally, apical Rh channels are removed from the apical membrane, presumably to reduce ammonia loading from the environment. We suggest that this mechanism allows hagfish to maintain tolerable ammonia levels while feeding inside decomposing carrion, allowing them to exploit nutrient-rich food-falls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Clifford
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael P Wilkie
- Department of Biology and Laurier Institute for Water Science, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan L Edwards
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, USA
| | - Martin Tresguerres
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Greg G Goss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada
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Eom J, Lauridsen H, Wood CM. Breathing versus feeding in the Pacific hagfish. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:274669. [PMID: 35262176 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hagfish represent the oldest extant connection to the ancestral vertebrates, but their physiology is not well understood. Using behavioural (video), physiological (respirometry, flow measurements), classical morphological (dissection, silicone injection) and modern imaging approaches (micro-MRI, DICE micro-CT) we examined the interface between feeding and the unique breathing mechanism (nostril, high frequency velum, low frequency gill pouches (24) and pharyngo-cutaneous duct,PCD) in the Pacific hagfish, Eptatretus stoutii. A video tour via micro-MRI is presented through the breathing and feeding passages. We have reconciled earlier disagreement as to the position of the velum chamber, which powers inhalation through the nostril, placing it downstream of the merging point of food and water passages, such that the oronasal septum terminates at the anterior end of the velum chamber. When feeding occurs by engulfment of large chunks by the dental plates, food movement through the chamber may transiently interfere with breathing. Swallowing is accelerated by peristaltic body undulation involving the ventral musculature, and is complete within 5 sec. After a large meal (anchovy, 20% body mass), hagfish remain motionless, defecating bones and scales at 1.7 days and an intestinal peritrophic membrane at 5 days. O2 consumption rate approximately doubles within 1 h after feeding, remaining elevated through 12-24 h. This is achieved by combinations of elevated O2 utilization and ventilatory flow, the latter caused by varying increases in velar frequency and stroke volume. Additional imaging casts light on the reasons for the trend for greater O2 utilization by more posterior pouches and PCD in fasted hagfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junho Eom
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.,Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, BC V0R 1B0, Canada
| | - Henrik Lauridsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Chris M Wood
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.,Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, BC V0R 1B0, Canada
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Eom J, Wood CM. Understanding ventilation and oxygen uptake of Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii), with particular emphasis on responses to ammonia and interactions with other respiratory gases. J Comp Physiol B 2021; 191:255-271. [PMID: 33547930 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-020-01329-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The hagfishes are an ancient and evolutionarily important group, with breathing mechanisms and gills very different from those of other fishes. Hagfish inhale through a single nostril via a velum pump, and exhale through multiple separate gill pouches. We assessed respiratory performance in E. stoutii (31 ppt, 12 ºC, 50-120 g) by measuring total ventilatory flow ([Formula: see text]) at the nostril, velar (respiratory) frequency (fr), and inspired (PIO2) and expired (PEO2) oxygen tensions at all 12 gill pouch exits plus the pharyngo-cutaneous duct (PCD) on the left side, and calculated ventilatory stroke volume (S[Formula: see text]), % O2 utilization, and oxygen consumption (ṀO2). At rest under normoxia, spontaneous changes in [Formula: see text] ranged from apnea to > 400 ml kg-1 min-1, due to variations in both fr and S[Formula: see text]; "normal" [Formula: see text] averaged 137 ml kg-1 min-1, ṀO2 was 718 µmol kg-1 h-1, so the ventilatory convection requirement for O2 was about 11 L mmol-1. Relative to anterior gill pouches, lower PEO2 values (i.e. higher utilization) occurred in the more posterior pouches and PCD. Overall, O2 utilization was 34% and did not change during hyperventilation but increased to > 90% during hypoventilation. Environmental hypoxia (PIO2 ~ 8% air saturation, 1.67 kPa, 13 Torr) caused hyperventilation, but neither acute hyperoxia (PIO2 ~ 275% air saturation, 57.6 kPa, 430 Torr) nor hypercapnia (PICO2 ~ 1% CO2, 1.0 kPa, 7.5 Torr) significantly altered [Formula: see text]. ṀO2 decreased in hypoxia and increased in hyperoxia but did not change in hypercapnia. Acute exposure to high environmental ammonia (HEA, 10 mM NH4HCO3) caused an acute decrease in [Formula: see text], in contrast to the hyperventilation of long-term HEA exposure described in a previous study. The hypoventilatory response to HEA still occurred during hypoxia and hyperoxia, but was blunted during hypercapnia. Under all treatments, ṀO2 increased with increases in [Formula: see text]. Overall, there were lower convection requirements for O2 during hyperoxia, higher requirements during hypoxia and hypercapnia, but unchanged requirements during HEA. We conclude that this "primitive" fish operates a flexible respiratory system with considerable reserve capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junho Eom
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada.
| | - Chris M Wood
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada
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Eom J, Wood CM. Brain and gills as internal and external ammonia sensing organs for ventilatory control in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2021; 254:110896. [PMID: 33444774 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.110896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia is both a respiratory gas and a toxicant in teleost fish. Hyperventilation is a well-known response to elevations of both external and internal ammonia levels. Branchial neuroepithelial cells (NECs) are thought to serve as internal sensors of plasma ammonia (peripheral chemoreceptors), but little is known about other possible ammonia-sensors. Here, we investigated whether trout possess external sensors and/or internal central chemoreceptors for ammonia. For external sensors, we analyzed the time course of ventilatory changes at the start of exposure to high environmental ammonia (HEA, 1 mM). Hyperventilation developed gradually over 20 min, suggesting that it was a response to internal ammonia elevation. We also directly perfused ammonia solutions (0.01-1 mM) to the external surfaces of the first gill arches. Immediate hypoventilation occurred. For central chemoreceptors, we injected ammonia solutions (0.5-1.0 mM) directly onto the surface of the hindbrain of anesthetized trout. Immediate hyperventilation occurred. This is the first evidence of central chemoreception in teleost fish. We conclude that trout possess both external ammonia sensors, and dual internal ammonia sensors (perhaps for redundancy), but their roles differ. External sensors cause short term hypoventilation, which would help limit toxic waterborne ammonia uptake. When fish cannot avoid HEA, the diffusion of waterborne ammonia into the blood will stimulate both peripheral (NECs) and central (brain) chemoreceptors, resulting in hyperventilation. This hyperventilation will be beneficial in increasing ammonia excretion via the Rh metabolon system in the gills not only after HEA exposure, but also after endogenous ammonia loading from feeding or exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junho Eom
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z4, Canada.
| | - Chris M Wood
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z4, Canada.
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Porteus C, Kumai Y, Abdallah SJ, Yew HM, Kwong RW, Pan Y, Milsom WK, Perry SF. Respiratory responses to external ammonia in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2021; 251:110822. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.110822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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