Differential protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases in erythrocytes and liver of lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis on the course of prespawning starvation

The study was designed to identify the types of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in erythrocytes and liver tissues of river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis and monitor the changes in protein expression levels of found enzymes on the course of prespawning starvation (from November to the end of May). Immunoreactivity of the native and phosphorylated forms of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 was examined in the cytosolic and membrane cell fractions. Both lamprey erythrocytes and liver were found to highly express ERK1/2 and JNK, whereas only trace amounts of p38 were revealed in hepatic tissues. ERK1/2 was identified in cytosolic and membrane fractions, whereas JNK and p38 were predominantly cytosolic enzymes. Total cellular amounts of ERK1/2 and phospho-ERK1/2 in both erythrocytes and liver tissues appeared to be relatively stable on the course of prespawning starvation. However, before spawning ERK1/2 translocated from cytosol to membranes, with partial decline of its cytoplasmic expression being compensated by increases in membrane-bound pool. Immunoreactivity of cytoplasmic JNK, phospho-JNK and p38 were stable from November to March, but sharply decreased before spawning exhibiting almost negligible levels in May, which suggests the depletion of their cellular fractions. Most probably, ERK1/2 plays more important role in mediating adaptive responses of erythrocytes and liver tissues to conditions of natural starvation and maintenance of cell viability before spawning and death of animals in May.

Evolutionary conservation of the allosteric activation of factor VIIa by tissue factor in lamprey

Essentials Tissue factor (TF) enhances factor VIIa (FVIIa) activity through structural and dynamic changes. We analyzed conservation of TF-activated FVIIa allosteric networks in extant vertebrate lamprey. Lamprey Tf/FVIIa molecular dynamics show conserved Tf-induced structural/dynamic FVIIa changes. Lamprey Tf activation of FVIIa allosteric networks follows molecular pathways similar to human.

SUMMARY

Background Previous studies have provided insight into the molecular basis of human tissue factor (TF) activation of activated factor VII (FVIIa). TF-induced allosteric networks of FVIIa activation have been rationalized through analysis of the dynamic changes and residue connectivities in the human soluble TF (sTF)/FVIIa complex structure during molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Evolutionary conservation of the molecular mechanisms for TF-induced allosteric FVIIa activation between humans and extant vertebrate jawless fish (lampreys), where blood coagulation emerged more than 500 million years ago, is unknown and of considerable interest. Objective To model the sTf/FVIIa complex from cloned Petromyzon marinus lamprey sequences, and with comparisons to human sTF/FVlla investigate conservation of allosteric mechanisms of FVIIa activity enhancement by soluble TF using MD simulations. Methods Full-length cDNAs of lamprey tf and f7 were cloned and characterized. Comparative models of lamprey sTf/FVIIa complex and free FVIIa were determined based on constructed human sTF/FVIIa complex and free FVIIa models, used in full-atomic MD simulations, and characterized using dynamic network analysis approaches. Results Allosteric paths of correlated motion from Tf contact points in lamprey sTf/FVIIa to the FVIIa active site were determined and quantified, and were found to encompass residue-residue interactions along significantly similar paths compared with human. Conclusions Despite low conservation of residues between lamprey and human proteins, 30% TF and 39% FVII, the structural and protein dynamic effects of TF activation of FVIIa appear conserved and, moreover, present in extant vertebrate proteins from 500 million years ago when TF/FVIIa-initiated extrinsic pathway blood coagulation emerged.

Bioinformatic Characterization of Genes and Proteins Involved in Blood Clotting in Lampreys

Lampreys and hagfish are the earliest diverging of extant vertebrates and are obvious targets for investigating the origins of complex biochemical systems found in mammals. Currently, the simplest approach for such inquiries is to search for the presence of relevant genes in whole genome sequence (WGS) assemblies. Unhappily, in the past a high-quality complete genome sequence has not been available for either lampreys or hagfish, precluding the possibility of proving gene absence. Recently, improved but still incomplete genome assemblies for two species of lamprey have been posted, and, taken together with an extensive collection of short sequences in the NCBI trace archive, they have made it possible to make reliable counts for specific gene families. Particularly, a multi-source tactic has been used to study the lamprey blood clotting system with regard to the presence and absence of genes known to occur in higher vertebrates. As was suggested in earlier studies, lampreys lack genes for coagulation factors VIII and IX, both of which are critical for the "intrinsic" clotting system and responsible for hemophilia in humans. On the other hand, they have three each of genes for factors VII and X, participants in the "extrinsic" clotting system. The strategy of using raw trace sequence "reads" together with partial WGS assemblies for lampreys can be used in studies on the early evolution of other biochemical systems in vertebrates.

[PHOSPHOLIPIDS AND FATTY ACIDS IN ERYTHROCYTES OF THE LAMPREY LAMPETRA FLUVIATILIS DURING AUTUMN PRESPAWNING PERIOD AND THE ABSORPTION SPECTRUM OF THEIR LIPID EXTRACT]

The content of some classes of phospholipids and their fatty acid composition in erythrocytes of the lamprey Lampetrafluviatilis during the autumn period of its prespawning migration are investigated. It is found that the phospholipid spectrum of erythrocytes of the lamprey, the oldest representative of vertebrates, is similar to that of many mammals. A four-fold prevalence of phosphatidilcholine content over sphingomyelin content as well as prevalence of (ω3-acids over ω6-acids indicates the <<fluidity>> of lamprey's erythrocyte membranes - an important indicator of deformational ability of lamprey's erythrocytes. Phosphatidilethanol amine and its plasmalogenic form are the most unsaturated phospholipids (their unsaturation indices are 230 and 342, correspondingly). Phosphatidilcholine is the most saturated one (UI is 167). It is found that the basic acid indicators characterizing the fluidity of erythrocyte membranes remain unchanged during the whole period of prespawning migration of lampreys up to spawning. The blood contains several buffer systems, in particular, membrane phospholipids which neutralize acids and alkali incoming into the blood. In the process of organism life a change of pH inside erythrocytes occurs. One can suppose that the base of the system associated with buffer properties of the blood is water dissociation. Inside thin vessels of the circulatory system the hemoglobin attaches and returns molecules of oxygen due to interaction of the buffer systems with water. The property of water to dissociate as well as ion transfer produce in erythrocytes, lying within narrow vessels of the circulatory system, a local pH alteration allowing displacing/attaching the molecule of oxygen from hemoglobin.

[Liver monoamine oxidase activity of the lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis. the substrate-inhibitory specificity]

Based on data of substrate-inhibitory analysis with use of specific inhibitors--deprenyl, chlorgi-lin--and specific substrates--serotonin, noradrenalin, benzylamine, beta-phenylethylamine, and N-methylhistamine--a suggestion is put forward about the possible existence of one molecular form of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in liver of mature individuals of the European lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis. There are determined kinetic parameters of monoamine oxidase deamination of eight substrates, which indicates the large spectrum of substrate specificity of the lamprey liver MAO. The studied enzyme does not deaminate histamine and putrescine and is not sensitive to 10(-2) M semicarbaside. Results of study of the substrate-inhibitor specificity allow us to suggest some resemblance of catalytic properties of the lamprey liver MAO and the mammalian form A MAO. The revealed low activity of the enzyme at deamination of all used substrates seems to be connected with low detoxational functional of the lamprey liver.

Evolutionary origin of the vertebrate blood complement and coagulation systems inferred from liver EST analysis of lamprey

The complement and coagulation systems in mammalian blood are composed of multiple components with unique domain structures, and are believed to be established by exon-shufflings and following gene duplications. To elucidate their origin in vertebrates, liver EST and 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) analyses were performed in lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum. For the complement system, thefactor I cDNA was cloned for the first time outside of the jawed vertebrates. Evidence for the C3/C4/C5, fB/C2 and MASP-1/MASP-2/C1r/C1s gene duplications was not found, suggesting that these duplications occurred in the jawed vertebrate lineage. In contrast, the coagulation factors VII and X, prothrombin and protein C-like cDNAs were identified, indicating that duplications among them predated the cyclostome-jawed vertebrate divergence. The genes for terminal complement components, coagulation factors XI and XII, or prekallikrein were not found, suggesting that the complement and coagulation systems of an ancestral vertebrate were simpler compared to their mammalian counterparts.

Amiloride-sensitive sodium transport in lamprey red blood cells: evidence for two distinct transport pathways

To determine Na+/H+ exchange in lamprey erythrocyte membranes, the cells were acidified to pH(i) 6.0 using the K+/H+ ionophore nigericin. Incubation of acidified erythrocytes in a NaCl medium at pH 8.0 caused a considerable rise in 22Na+ influx and H+ efflux during the first 1 min of exposure. In addition, exposure of acidified red cells to NaCl medium was associated with rapid elevation of intracellular Na+ content. The acid-induced changes in Na+ influx and H+ efflux were almost completely inhibited by amiloride and dimethylamiloride. In native lamprey erythrocytes, amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx progressively increased as the osmolality of incubation medium was increased by addition of 100, 200, or 300 mmol/l sucrose. Unexpectedly, the hypertonic stress induced a small, yet statistically significant decrease in intracellular Na+ content in these cells. The reduction in the cellular Na+ content increased with hypertonicity of the medium. The acid- and shrinkage-induced Na+ influxes were inhibited by both amiloride and 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA) in a dose-dependent manner. For both blockers, the half-maximal inhibitory values (IC50) were much greater for the shrinkage-induced (44 and 15 micromol/l for amiloride and EIPA, respectively) than for the acid-induced Na+ influx (5.1 and 3.3 micromol/l, respectively). The data obtained are the first demonstration of the presence of a Na+/H+ exchanger with high activity in acidified (pH(i) 6.0) lamprey red blood cells (on average, 512 +/- 56 mmol/l cells/h, n = 13). The amiloride-sensitive Na+ influxes produced by hypertonic cell shrinkage and acid load are likely to be mediated by distinct ion transporters in these cells.

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.

Effect of alloxan and insulin immunoneutralization on circulating thyroid hormone levels in larval landlocked sea lampreys, petromyzon marinus

The effects of alloxan, an insulin (INS)-secreting cell toxin, and INS immunoneutralization on circulating levels of thyroid hormones (thyroxine, T(4); triiodothyronine, T(3)) were examined in larval landlocked sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus. Animals were injected intraperitoneally with either (Experiment 1) saline (0.6%) or alloxan (20 or 200 microg/g body weight), or with (Experiment 2) normal rabbit serum or anti-lamprey INS. Alloxan (200 microg/g) decreased plasma T(3), but not T(4), in larvae by about 45-80%. Three, six, or nine hr after acute immunoneutralization of lamprey INS with anti-lamprey INS, plasma T(3) levels decreased by 13-30%, relative to controls. These data indicate that INS deficiency can regulate the thyroid system of larval lampreys. There is some suggestion that INS may mediate the metamorphic processes by modulating thyroid hormone concentrations.

Blood steroid profile and in vitro steroidogenesis by ovarian follicles and testis fragments of adult sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus

The main purpose of the study was to identify the principal gonadal steroids synthesized by male and female sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus. To achieve this, we used high performance liquid chromatography to separate the steroids in the serum of sexually mature animals, and to separate the steroids produced by gonadal tissue incubated in the presence of radiolabelled precursor steroids, as a means of identifying the major steroidogenic pathways. We were unable to detect evidence of the 'classical' steroids, such as 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) or testosterone (T) in the serum of either male or female lampreys. Instead, the principal chromatographic peaks contained very polar compounds that had elution times consistent with 15alpha-hydroxylated estrogens and androgens, and there were sex-specific differences in the chemical nature and the quantity of these compounds. Testis fragments or ovarian follicles co-incubated with tritium-labelled pregnenolone ([3H]P(5)), 17-hydroxyprogesterone ([3H]17OHP(4)), or androstenedione ([3H]A(4)), provided additional confirmation that the gonads synthesize a range of very polar steroids, and the metabolites found were consistent with the presence of a 15alpha-hydroxylated (15alphaOH) metabolic pathway common to testis and ovary. For ovarian tissue, the major 'end product' metabolites from all three precursors were 15alphaOH-estrogens, and for testis tissue 15alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (15alphaOHP(4)) and 15alpha-hydroxytestosterone (15alphaOHT) and small amounts of 15alphaOH estrogen. Small amounts of E(2) were also produced by both ovarian (all substrates) and testicular tissue (some substrates). Although it was assumed that the E(2) was synthesized via the aromatization of T, [3H]T was not found as an intermediate metabolite. The study suggests that the principal gonadal steroids in sea lamprey are 15alpha-OH compounds, and that only small amounts of E(2) or T are synthesized by the gonads at this stage of reproductive development. There was no direct evidence of progesterone (P(4)) synthesis from [3H]P(5), although the metabolites synthesized by both testis and ovary were indicative of a metabolic pathway that involved P(4) as an intermediate.

ATP-sensitive K+ and Ca2+-activated K+ channels in lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus) red blood cell membrane

The patch-clamp technique was used to demonstrate the presence of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels in lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus) red blood cell membrane. Whole-cell experiments indicated that the membrane current under isosmotic (285 mosmol l(-1)) conditions is carried by K(+). In the inside-out configuration an ATP-sensitive K(+) channel (70-80 pS inward, 35-40 pS outward) was present in 35% of patches. Application of ATP to the intracellular side reduced unitary current with half-maximal inhibition in the range 10-100 microM. A block was obtained with 100 microM lidocaine and inhibition was obtained with 0.5 mM barium acetate. A Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (25-30 pS inward, 10-15 pS outward) was present in 57% of patches. Inhibition was produced by 10 mM TEA and 500 nM apamin and sensitivity to Ba(2+) was lower than for ATP-sensitive channels. No spontaneous channel activity was recorded in the cell-attached configuration under isotonic conditions. With hypotonic saline 68% of patches showed spontaneous single-channel activity, and, of 75 active patches, 66 cell-attached patches showed channel activity corresponding to Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels.

Comparative Analysis of Autoxidation of Haemoglobin

Autoxidation of oxyhaemoglobin (oxyHb) to methaemoglobin was measured at different temperatures in haemoglobin solutions from Atlantic hagfish, river lamprey, common carp, yellowfin tuna and pig. The aims were to evaluate the impact of the absent distal histidine in hagfish haemoglobin, the importance of oxyHb being either monomeric (hagfish and lamprey) or tetrameric (carp, tuna and pig) and to gain information on the temperature-sensitivity of autoxidation. The rate of autoxidation was lower in hagfish than in carp, yellowfin tuna and lamprey haemoglobins at any given temperature. Substitution of the distal histidine residue (His E7) with glutamine in hagfish haemoglobin was therefore not associated with an accelerated autoxidation, as might be expected on the basis of the normal protective role of His E7. Glutamine may have similar qualities to histidine and be involved in the low susceptibility to autoxidation. The low oxidation rate of hagfish haemoglobin, together with an oxidation rate of lamprey haemoglobin that did not differ from that of carp and yellowfin tuna haemoglobins, also revealed that autoxidation was not accelerated in the monomeric oxyhaemoglobins. Pig haemoglobin was oxidised more slowly than fish haemoglobins, demonstrating that fish haemoglobins are more sensitive to autoxidation than mammalian haemoglobins. The rate of autoxidation of hagfish haemoglobin was, however, only significantly greater than that of pig haemoglobin at high temperatures. Autoxidation was accelerated by rising temperature in all haemoglobins. Arrhenius plots of carp and yellowfin tuna haemoglobin revealed a break at 25°C, reflecting a lower temperature-sensitivity between 5 and 25°C than between 25 and 40°C.

Circulating angiotensins in the river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis, acclimated to freshwater and seawater: possible involvement in the regulation of drinking

Plasma angiotensin levels were measured for the first time in a cyclostome, the river lamprey. With the demonstration that angiotensins are present in the circulation, the possibility of a physiological role in the regulation of drinking was re-examined. Angiotensin II and III concentrations and plasma osmolalities were significantly higher in lampreys acclimated to 28 ppt seawater than in those acclimated to freshwater. No changes were found in angiotensin II and III levels 4 h after transfer from freshwater to 50% seawater, although plasma osmolality had started to rise by this time. There was a suggestion that plasma angiotensin II levels might be related to osmolality in the transfer experiment. Injection of Asp(1)Val(5)- or Asn(1)Val(5)-angiotensin II (40-169 microg/kg body wt.) did not stimulate drinking in freshwater-acclimated lampreys, even when they were still capable of drinking. The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril and the smooth muscle relaxant papaverine both reduced drinking rate in 50% seawater-acclimated lampreys. The data do not provide direct evidence for the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in the control of drinking behaviour in the lamprey. Indirect evidence from the captopril effect is suggestive, but could have other explanations.

Unique distribution of the anion exchange protein in the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus

The purpose of the present study was to examine the distribution of the anion exchange protein in the sea lamprey. Southern blots showed that genomic DNA of juvenile lampreys possesses several regions that are similar to segments of the AE gene from other vertebrates. However, physiological experiments examining rapid anion fluxes across the red blood cell (rbc) membrane and molecular experiments examining mRNA transcript levels both indicated that the anion exchange protein is absent in sea lamprey rbcs. In contrast, lamprey kidney, skeletal muscle, liver and heart tissue all appeared to possess mRNA transcripts for an AE protein. Further evidence for the presence of an AE protein in kidney tissue was obtained from Western blots. In order to evaluate the impact of the apparent rbc anion exchange limitations, the bicarbonate permeability of lamprey rbcs was also evaluated using mass spectrometry. The bicarbonate permeability of the lamprey rbc membrane was an order of magnitude lower than that of trout rbcs. Taken together, these results indicate that the gene for the AE protein is indeed present in lampreys, but it is not expressed in the rbc. Moreover, the process of CO2 transport in lamprey probably does not involve bicarbonate transport across the rbc membrane.

An albumin-like protein in the serum of non-parasitic brook lamprey (Lampetra appendix) is restricted to preadult phases of the life cycle in contrast to the parasitic species Petromyzon marinus

Previous work showed that the parasitic sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, has two different albumin-like serum proteins during the course of its life cycle. One of these, AS, is the predominant protein in the serum of larval and metamorphosing intervals but is absent in the upstream migration phase of the life cycle; the other, SDS-1, is found at its highest level in the upstream migration phase and is the predominant serum protein in this phase. The present investigation examines the nonparasitic brook lamprey Lampetra appendix for the presence of albumins. Using electrophoresis and antisera monospecific for serum proteins, it was found that L. appendix has a serum protein that is antigenically similar to the AS protein of P. marinus. This protein (LAS) makes up about 70% of the total serum protein of the Lampetra larva, is present in metamorphic stages 1,2,3,4 and 5 but is virtually absent from the remaining metamorphic stages and the adult. Furthermore, the adult of L. appendix has no serum protein that is antigenically similar to SDS-1 of the adult P. marinus; our study shows that, unlike P. marinus, there is no single protein that represents a major portion of the total serum protein content in the L. appendix adult.

The 2.7 A crystal structure of deoxygenated hemoglobin from the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus): structural basis for a lowered oxygen affinity and Bohr effect

BACKGROUND

The hemoglobins of the sea lamprey are unusual in that cooperativity and sensitivity to pH arise from an equilibrium between a high-affinity monomer and a low-affinity oligomer. Although the crystal structure of the monomeric cyanide derivative has previously been determined, the manner by which oligomerization acts to lower the oxygen affinity and confer a strong Bohr effect has, until now, been speculative.

RESULTS

We have determined the crystal structure of deoxygenated lamprey hemoglobin V by molecular replacement to 2.7 A resolution, in a crystal form with twelve protomers in the asymmetric unit. The subunits are arranged as six essentially identical dimers, with a novel subunit interface formed by the E helices and the AB corner using the standard hemoglobin helical designations. In addition to nonpolar interactions, the interface includes a striking cluster of four glutamate residues. The proximity of the interface to ligand-binding sites implicates a direct effect on ligand affinity.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparison of the deoxy structure with that of the cyanide derivative revealed conformational changes that appear to be linked to the functional behavior. Oligomerization is coupled with a movement of the first half of the E helix by up to 1.0 A towards the heme, resulting in steric interference of ligand binding to the deoxy structure. The Bohr effect seems to result from proton uptake by glutamate residues as they are buried in the interface. Unlike human and mollusc hemoglobins, in which modulation of function is due to primarily proximal effects, regulation of oxygen affinity in lamprey hemoglobin V seems to depend on changes at the distal (ligand-binding) side of the heme group.

Regulation of ion transport across lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) erythrocyte membrane by oxygen tension

We have measured the effects of oxygen tension on the transport of Na+, K+ and Cl- across the erythrocyte membrane of the lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis. The transport of each ion was affected by the oxygen tension of the medium. Hypoxic conditions (PO2 2 kPa) caused an increase in the acidification-induced influx of Na+ via Na+/H+ exchange. The influx of K+ was only slightly affected by the oxygenation of the medium. In contrast, the basal K+ efflux, measured using the radioactive isotope 43K, was markedly reduced by decreasing the oxygen tension of the medium, whereas the K+ flux in hypotonic medium was not affected. Only minor effects of hypoxic conditions on the influx of Cl- were observed in either isotonic or hypotonic conditions (there was a tendency for the isotonic influx to increase) or on the efflux in isotonic conditions. However, deoxygenation caused a marked reduction in the Cl- efflux in hypotonic conditions. The results show that oxygen tension has a marked effect on the pH and volume regulatory transport pathways of lamprey erythrocytes. For K+ and Cl-, the regulation appears to be asymmetric, i.e. influx and efflux are affected differently.

Chloride transport in red blood cells of lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis: evidence for a novel anion-exchange system

The existence of a furosemide-sensitive Cl- transport pathway activated by external Ca2+ and Mg2+ has been demonstrated previously in studies of Cl- influx across the lamprey erythrocyte membrane. The aim of the present study was to characterize further specific Cl- transport pathways, especially those involved in Cl- efflux, in the red blood cell membrane of Lampetra fluviatilis. Cl- efflux was inhibited by 0.05 mmol l-1 dihydroindenyloxyalkanoic acid (DIOA) (81%), 1 mmol l-1 furosemide (76%) and 0.1 mmol l-1 niflumic acid (54%). Bumetanide (100 mumol l-1) and DIDS (100 mumol l-1) had no effect effect on Cl- efflux. Substitution of external Cl- by gluconate, but not by NO3-, led to a gradual decline of Cl- efflux. In addition, the removal of external Ca2+ resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of Cl- efflux. Membrane depolarization caused by increasing external K+ concentration or by inhibiting K+ channels with 1 mmol l-1 Ba2+ did not affect Cl- efflux. The furosemide-sensitive component of Cl- influx was a saturable function of external [Cl-] with an apparent K(m) of approximately 92 mmol l-1 and Vmax of approximately 17.8 mmol l-1 cells-1 h-1. Furosemide did not affect intracellular Cl- concentration (57.6 +/- 5.2 mmol l-1 cell water), measured using an ion-selective Cl- electrode, showing that a furosemide-sensitive pathway is not involved in net Cl- movement. A gradual fall (from 28.1 +/- 1.4 to 15.0 +/- 1.3 mmol l-1 cells-1 h-1) in unidirectional Cl- influx with time was observed within 3 h of cell preincubation in the standard physiological medium. These data provide evidence for the existence for an electroneutral furosemide-sensitive anion-exchange pathway in the lamprey erythrocyte membrane that accepts chloride and nitrate, but not bicarbonate or bromide.

Effects of exogenous thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) on spontaneous metamorphosis and serum T4 and T3 levels in immediately premetamorphic sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus

The effect of exogenous thyroid hormones (TH), thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3), on spontaneous metamorphosis and serum T4 and T3 levels was examined in immediately premetamorphic sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) from two populations. Size (> or = 120 mm in length and 3.0 g in weight) and a condition factor (CF) of > or = 1.50 were used to predict the number of larvae that were expected to metamorphose. The smallest size and lowest CF found in metamorphosing animals of each population (i.e., the minimum length, weight, and CF) were also used in our assessment. Untreated larvae from Putnam Creek metamorphosed at a larger size (minimums; 134 mm, 4.12 g) than anticipated, out the minimum CF (1.59) and the incidence of metamorphosis (4/5 based on minimums) were consistent with results from the Salmon River population (minimums: 121 mm, 3.15 g, 1.54 CF, 8/9 metamorphosing). In the two experiments, T4-treated animals showed the predicted incidence of metamorphosis (2/2, 10/10), but significantly fewer larvae metamorphosed in the T3-treated groups (1/5, 5/11) than predicted. It was concluded that exogenous T3 administration affected the incidence of metamorphosis. In the treatment groups, serum TH levels in most nonmetamorphosing and metamorphosing animals were significantly higher than controls. Metamorphosing animals exposed to either TH had lower serum TH concentrations than nonmetamorphosing animals. A decline in serum TH levels is an early feature of metamorphosis in lampreys, but the artificial maintenance of elevated serum levels of TH cannot inhibit the decline in spontaneous metamorphosis. If the depression of serum TH levels contributes to the initiation of metamorphic change, the magnitude of the decline is not a contributing factor.

Oxygen consumption by ammocoetes of the lamprey Geotria australis in air

When covered by moistened lint-free gauze, the larvae (ammocoetes) of the lamprey Geotria australis survived, without apparent discomfort, for 4 days in water-saturated air at 10, 15 and 20 degrees C. In air, the mean standard rates of O2 consumption of medium to large ammocoetes of G. australis (mean = 0.52 g) at 10, 15 and 20 degrees C were 14.5, 35.7 and 52.1 microliters.g-1.h-1, respectively. At 15 degrees C, the slope of the relationship between log O2 consumption (microliter O2.h-1) and log body weight for ammocoetes over a wide range in body weight was 0.987. The Q10s for rate of O2 consumption between 10 and 15 degrees C, 15 and 20 degrees C and 10 and 20 degrees C were 4.9, 2.9 and 3.6, respectively. Our results and observations of the ammocoetes suggest that, when out of water, larval G. australis derives most of its O2 requirements from cutaneous respiration, particularly at lower temperatures. This would be facilitated by the small size and elongate shape (and thus a relatively high surface-to-volume ratio), low metabolic rate, thin dermis, extensive subdermal capillary network and high haemoglobin concentration of larval G. australis.

Bicarbonate permeability and immunological evidence for an anion exchanger-like protein in the red blood cells of the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus

Physiological and immuno-blotting experiments were used to determine whether the red blood cell membrane of a primitive vertebrate, the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus, contained a counterpart similar to the vertebrate anion exchange protein known as AE1 or band 3. Results of the physiological experiments which measured CO2 production after adding H14CO3- to the extracellular saline, indicated significant transmembrane bicarbonate movement in lamprey blood which unlike that in most vertebrates, was insensitive to inhibition by 4,4' diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2' disulfonic acid. The present study also showed that lamprey red blood cells possess acetazolamide-sensitive carbonic anhydrase which is an important component of CO2 production by vertebrate red blood cells. Polyclonal immunoglobulins against a 12 amino acid domain in the C-terminus of the mouse AE1 recognized a trout red blood cell membrane protein with a relative molecular mass of 97 kDa, but failed to immunoreact with any membrane proteins from the red blood cells of lamprey. Antibodies against trout AE1 immunoreacted with trout red blood cell membrane proteins of approximately 97 kDa, 200 kDa and > 200 kDa. Interestingly, only a 200-kDa membrane protein from the red blood cells of the primitive lamprey immunoreacted with the trout anti-AE1 immunoglobulin proteins. Therefore, lamprey red blood cells appear to possess an AE1-like protein that may be physiologically different than that in most other vertebrates.

[The species characteristics of the intramolecular structure of hemoglobin in vertebrates]

Using fluorescence spectroscopy species peculiarity of hydrophobic and microviscosity degree in central and peripheral molecular areas of the main electrophoretic haemoglobin fractions in representatives of different vertebrate classes gas been studied. It is established that central areas of haemoglobin molecule are characterised by twice lesser variability of size and hydrophobic degree and 2.4 times greater variability of package strength as compared with peripheral areas of protein globule.

Regulatory volume decrease in lamprey erythrocytes: mechanisms of K+ and Cl- loss

The nature of the swelling-activated K+ and Cl- transport pathways of lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) erythrocytes was studied. In isosmotic medium, unidirectional K+ and Cl- effluxes appear to be largely mediated by conductive pathways. Unidirectional Cl- efflux increased as a function of a decrease in medium osmolarity. The swelling-activated Cl- transport was inhibited by R(+)-[(2-n-butyl-6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-1H-inde n-5- yl)oxy]acetic acid (DIOA), furosemide, and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). In contrast, moderate cell swelling did not increase unidirectional ouabain-insensitive K+ efflux. However, inhibition of transport by Ba2+ was markedly reduced. This suggests that the Ba(2+)-sensitive pathway that mediated most of the K+ efflux in isosmotic conditions was inhibited by cell swelling and a Ba(2+)-insensitive pathway was activated. DIOA had no effect on K+ efflux in isosmotic or hyposmotic medium. These data and the finding that substitution of NO3- or SCN- for Cl- had only a minor effect on the swelling-induced net extrusion of K+ and water indicate that the pathways for K+ and Cl-, activated by cell swelling, are conductive.

The minor form alpha' chain from lamprey fibrinogen is rapidly crosslinked during clotting

Lampreys have two genes for the alpha chains of fibrinogen, the second of which encodes a minor form with a carboxyl-terminal domain homologous to the carboxyl-terminal domains of beta and gamma chains. Initially, we referred to the alternative chain as alpha-II; we now use the designation alpha' in order to facilitate reference to crosslinked dimers. Antisera raised to synthetic peptides based on the cDNA sequence confirmed that the alpha' chain was present in fibrinogen prepared directly from plasma. The same antibodies were used to determine the size and properties of the carboxyl-terminal domain after its release by mild tryptic digestion, a fragment of apparent molecular weight 35,000-40,000 being produced. Unlike fragment D generated in the same digestions, the alpha' fragment did not bind to Gly-Pro-Arg or Gly-Val-Arg peptide affinity columns. During clotting under conditions where factor XIII is active, the alpha' chains became crosslinked very much more rapidly than ordinary alpha chains, the principal product being an apparent dimer, but smaller amounts of higher multimers being detectable. The crosslinking was inhibited by various amines, as well as by peptides that prevent polymerization.

Effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition on the acid base status in lamprey and trout

Inhibition of red cell carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity resulted in the rapid development of a respiratory acidosis (0.25 pH depression within 15 min post-injection) in the blood of trout. In the lamprey, however, the onset of the respiratory acidosis was delayed and its magnitude was less (0.18 pH depression at 6 h post-injection). Erythrocyte pH of both species decreased by about 0.12 units by 1 h after CA inhibition. These data, combined with the lack of rapid anion (Cl-/HCO3-) exchange in the red cells of agnathans but not in other lower vertebrates, support the hypotheses that (1) the majority of total CO2 in lamprey is transported within the erythrocyte, and (2) the limiting step in the evolution of a functioning Jacobs-Stewart cycle, and thus the evolution of the common mechanism of systemic CO2 transport in vertebrate blood, was the incorporation of the band-3 anion exchange protein into the membrane of the red cell.

[The comparative characteristics of the physicochemical and structural-functional properties of hemoglobin in a number of vertebrates]

Using isoelectrofocusing within pH gradient 6-8, studies have been made on microheterogeneity of haemoglobins from various vertebrates. Phylogenetic evaluation of oxygen affinity of the main and minor electrophoretically pure haemoglobin fractions is given. It was shown that oxygen affinity of the haemoglobins is related to the ratio between dicarboxylic and basic amino acids.

Systemic levels of thyroid hormones and insulin in landlocked sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus, during the juvenile feeding period

Thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and insulin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in the serum of feeding juvenile Petromyzon marinus in Lake Huron between May and August. There was no correlation of hormone concentrations with nutritional status, gender, and condition factor over a period of 4 months when there is active feeding and growth. Only serum insulin concentration varied significantly between two of the monthly samples; the overall mean for juveniles (2.80 +/- 0.21 ng/ml) was significantly greater than the mean for upstream migrants (1.70 +/- 0.24). Higher serum T3 levels showed weak correlations with increasing length (r = 0.32) and weight (r = 0.33), but T4 and insulin concentrations had no relationship with these parameters. The mean concentrations of T4 and T3 were 4.60 +/- 0.18 and 0.354 +/- 0.016 nmoles/liter, respectively, in the feeding juveniles. These data show a general trend for stabilized levels of T4, T3, and insulin in the serum during the juvenile period of P. marinus.

Haemoglobin function in intact Lampetra fluviatilis erythrocytes

The red cell pH as a function of oxygen saturation of haemoglobin and the oxygen affinity of haemoglobin as a function of red cell pH in Lampetra fluviatilis were studied at intracellular pH values ranging from 6.7 to 8.0. The maximal increase in red cell pH upon deoxygenation, 0.326 units, was seen when the pH of oxygen-saturated erythrocytes was 7.7, a value corresponding to the red cell pH of resting lampreys. The effect of oxygen saturation on red cell pH was reduced both when the red cell pH was decreased and when it was increased. The haemoglobin-oxygen affinity was strongly pH-dependent, with a Bohr-factor of -1.03. At a high pH (7.67) maintained by lamprey red cells at physiological conditions, the P50 value was 28.2 Torr. At a pH value (7.33) similar to that of rainbow trout, the P50 value was 73 Torr. Thus, the high red cell pH in lamprey is required for effective oxygen loading in gills. It also maximizes the apparent cooperativity of oxygen binding.

Impact of complete isletectomy on plasma glucose in the southern hemisphere lamprey Geotria australis

The adult southern hemisphere lamprey Geotria australis is the only known vertebrate in which it is possible to remove all of the pancreatic islet tissue without damaging other organs. In the 24 hr after isletectomy, the plasma glucose of adult G. australis rose sharply from 5.0 to 11.6 mmol.liter-1 and remained at a similar elevated level throughout the subsequent 5 days of the experiment. The marked hyperglycemia that follows complete isletectomy parallels the results obtained after removal of the majority of the islet tissue from northern hemisphere lampreys and after pancreatectomy in mammals, but contrasts with observations recorded for some other groups of vertebrates.

Effects of oxygen saturation on the CO2 transport properties of Lampetra red cells

We investigated the effects of haemoglobin oxygenation on the carbon dioxide transport properties of lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) erythrocytes. The non-bicarbonate buffering capacity of deoxygenated lamprey erythrocytes was -43 mmol.L-1.pH unit-1. The carbon dioxide content of oxygenated erythrocytes was 7-8 mM lower than that of deoxygenated erythrocytes over a range of carbon dioxide tensions. This was the result of a pronounced Haldane effect (proton uptake by haemoglobin upon deoxygenation): at extracellular pH 7.5, the intracellular pH of oxygenated erythrocytes was 7.67, and increased to 7.91 when the haemoglobin-oxygen saturation decreased to 7%. No specific oxylabile binding of bicarbonate or carbon dioxide to haemoglobin occurred under the conditions of the present study. Owing to the high red cell pH and its large increase upon deoxygenation, carbon dioxide can be effectively transported in lamprey blood, although plasma bicarbonate is not available for carbon dioxide excretion because of the lack of rapid anion exchange across the red cell membrane.

K+ transport across the lamprey erythrocyte membrane: characteristics of a Ba(2+)- and amiloride-sensitive pathway

The characteristics of K+ transport in erythrocytes from the river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) were investigated using standard radioisotope flux techniques. The cells were shown to have a ouabain-sensitive transport pathway that carried 43K+ and 86Rb+ into the cell at similar rates. Most of the ouabain-resistant 43K+ and 86Rb+ influx was via a pathway that was insensitive to cotransport inhibitors and to the replacement of extracellular Cl- or Na+. This pathway showed a strong selectivity for 43K+ over 86Rb+. It was inhibited fully by Ba2+ (I50 approximately 2.8 mumol l-1), amiloride (I50 approximately 150 mumol l-1) and ethylisopropylamiloride (I50 approximately 3.3 mumol l-1) and less effectively by quinine and by the tetraethylammonium ion. Inhibition by Ba2+ took full effect within a few minutes whereas the full inhibitory effect of amiloride took more than 1 h to develop. Experiments with the membrane potential probe [14C]tetraphenylphosphonium ion gave results consistent with the lamprey erythrocyte membrane having a Ba(2+)-sensitive K+ conductance that was significantly greater than the membrane Na+ conductance and which gave rise to a marked dependence of the membrane potential on the extracellular K+ concentration. The rate constants for Ba(2+)-sensitive 43K+ and 86Rb+ influx decreased (proportionally) with increasing extracellular K+ concentration in a manner that was consistent with the transport being via a conductive pathway. The decrease was attributed to a depolarisation of the membrane (in response to the increasing extracellular K+ concentration) and a consequent decrease in the driving force for the conductive movement of 43K+ and 86Rb+ into the cells. Ba(2+)-sensitive 86Rb+ influx increased significantly with decreasing cell volume and with increasing intracellular pH (at a constant extracellular pH) but increased only slightly with increasing extracellular pH. The pathway operated normally in the complete absence of extracellular Ca2+ but its activity decreased in cells pretreated with ionomycin and EGTA; this suggests a role for intracellular Ca2+ in the operation of the pathway.

The effect of N-ethylmaleimide on K+ and Cl- transport pathways in the lamprey erythrocyte membrane: activation of K+/Cl- cotransport

The effect of the sulphydryl reagent N-ethylmaleimide on the K+ and Cl- transport pathways of the lamprey erythrocyte membrane was found to be quite complex. N-Ethylmaleimide inhibited the Ba(2+)-sensitive pathway that mediates most of the ouabain-resistant influx of K+ into the cell under physiological conditions but stimulated a Cl(−)-dependent, B(2+)-resistant K+ transport pathway that was inhibited by compounds that inhibit Cl(−)-dependent K+ transport in the human erythrocyte. N-Ethylmaleimide (in most cases) reduced the total influx of Cl- into the lamprey erythrocyte but (in all cases) introduced a K(+)-dependent component into the measured Cl- uptake; this was explained in terms of N-ethylmaleimide having inhibited the pathway primarily responsible for Cl- influx under physiological conditions but having stimulated a second, K(+)-dependent Cl- transport pathway. Although the magnitude of the K+ and Cl- fluxes stimulated by N-ethylmaleimide varied widely between cells from different lampreys, there was, in each individual case, a close similarity between the magnitude of the Cl(−)-dependent K+ influx (calculated from the 86Rb+ uptake) and the K(+)-dependent Cl- influx; the mean value for the ratio of the former to the latter was 1.01 +/− 0.03 (N = 5). The results are therefore consistent with the sulphydryl reagent having activated a K+/Cl- cotransport system similar to that present in erythrocytes from many mammalian species. This raises the possibility that the lamprey red cell may be a uniquely suitable system in which to study the characteristics of Cl- transport by this pathway.

Isolation and properties of a fatty acid-binding protein from the Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata)

1. A survey of 12 vertebrate species showed that palmitate was bound by an albumin-like serum protein in all classes tested except the dogfish and the lamprey. 2. The major palmitate-binding protein of the Pacific lamprey was isolated and found to be of molecular mass 19,000. 3. The amino acid composition of this protein indicates that it is not a member of the albumin superfamily. 4. The 19-kDa lamprey protein binds bilirubin, cortisol and tryptophan only weakly, but binds palmitate with KA = 25 microM-1, comparable to the first long-chain fatty acid site of bovine albumin (KA = 34 microM-1).

The primary structure of the hemoglobins of a southern hemisphere lamprey (Mordacia mordax, Cyclostomata)

Mordacia mordax is a southern hemisphere lamprey belonging to Mordaciidae, a primitive family of Cyclostomata. Adult erythrocytes contain three monomeric hemoglobins which can be easily separated by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and isolated by ion-exchange chromatography. The N-terminal regions, and the tryptic peptides from each chain were submitted to automated Edman degradation; the alignment of the fragments was obtained by homology with the other Petromyzonoidea hemoglobins hitherto sequenced. Our results confirm the phylogenic distance between lampreys and hag-fish hemoglobins. As was observed for Petromyzon marinus species, two hemoglobins of Mordacia mordax are very close, as they differ only at 7 positions.

D-glucose permeability in river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) and carp (Cyprinus carpio) erythrocytes

1. The transport of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (3-OMG) in lamprey and carp erythrocytes was studied. 2. In lamprey erythrocytes the half-time for the equilibration of 3-OMG was fast, approx. 8 min. In contrast, the erythrocytes of carp were almost impermeable to 3-OMG, with a half-time for equilibration of 14.2 hr. 3. 3-OMG was taken up by lamprey erythrocytes both by facilitated diffusion and simple diffusion. The presence of carrier-mediated transport was indicated by saturation kinetics and by inhibition by phloretin. The Km and Vm of the saturable component of 3-OMG transport were 1.6 mmol/l and 12.4 mmol/kg packed cells/hr. 4. Since the 3-OMG transport in carp erythrocytes showed no sign of saturation kinetics, it appears to proceed by simple diffusion only. 5. These results suggest that, as for most other teleost fish so far studied, low glucose permeability is insufficient to maintain normal energy metabolism in carp erythrocytes. In contrast, in agnathans facilitated glucose transport seems to be quite effective.

Relationship between brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone and final reproductive period of the adult male sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) concentrations were measured in brains of adult male sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, during their final reproductive period. The lampreys were collected during their upstream migration in coastal New Hampshire rivers and sampled at the trap (referred to as Group A) or they were transferred to an artificial spawning channel (referred to as Group B). Plasma estradiol and progesterone were also measured, and histological examination of the gonadal stages was done as well. The concentrations of brain GnRH and plasma estradiol fluctuated significantly through time. There was a rise in brain concentrations of GnRH coincident with an increase in temperature just prior to spawning. In addition, there was a significant progressive correlation between increasing plasma estradiol and temperature in lampreys from Group B during the period studied. These studies provide evidence for progressive seasonal relationships between changes in brain GnRH and gametogenic and steroidogenic activity of the gonads in adult male sea lampreys during their final reproductive period.

[Free amino acids in the blood plasma of lampreys, frogs and rats]

Free amino acids in the blood plasma of lampreys, frogs and rats were determined by HPLC. In spite of quantitative differences in the total pool of free amino acids, the specific content of physiologically important amino acids is quite similar in representatives of different classes of vertebrates, from cyclostomes to mammals.

CO2 transport in agnathan blood: evidence of erythrocyte Cl-/HCO3- exchange limitations

CO2 transport properties of blood were examined in the lamprey Petromyzon marinus and the hagfish Myxine glutinosa. In order to evaluate possible chloride/bicarbonate exchange limitations, experiments were conducted under control conditions and in the presence of an ionophore to permit equilibrium distribution of chloride, bicarbonate, and protons across the erythrocyte membrane. The ionophore, tri-n-propyl tin chloride, markedly altered the CO2 transport properties and apparent nonbicarbonate buffering characteristics of the blood of Petromyzon marinus. In addition, the distributions of protons, bicarbonate and chloride ions across the erythrocyte membrane were very different from each other under control conditions, but became very similar in the presence of the anionic ionophore. The CO2 transport properties of the blood of Myxine glutinosa were not significantly different in the presence of the ionophore. Small but significant changes were observed, however, in erythrocyte pH, chloride concentration and water content in the presence of tri-n-propyl tin chloride. These results demonstrate that chloride/bicarbonate exchange limitations and possibly active transport of protons contribute to the unique CO2 transport properties in the blood of the lamprey, Petromyzon marinus. In the hagfish, Myxine glutinosa, the importance of anion exchange limitations or active proton transport with regard to the CO2 carrying properties of the blood are clearly much less than in the lamprey under the in vitro conditions of this study.

The structure and evolution of vertebrate fibrinogen: a comparison of the lamprey and mammalian proteins

The blood plasmas of all vertebrate animals contain a six-chained fibrinogen molecule that is polymerized into fibrin upon the thrombin-catalyzed removal of fibrinopeptides. In all cases, also, the polymerization reaction is inhibited by Gly-Pro-Arg-ending peptides. The complete amino acid sequences of human, rat and lamprey fibrinogens are known, permitting an assessment of just which sequence features are essential for polymerization. To an extent, the same approach can also be applied to the associated phenomena of fibrin cross-linking by factor XIII, plasminogen and plasminogen activator binding, and vessel wall-fibrinogen interactions.

[Optical spectroscopy of methemoglobin from the Lampetra fluviatilis river lamprey and its complexes reduced at 77K]

The absorption spectra from met-haemoglobin from lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis and its complexes with F-, CN-, N3- and imidazole were studied in non-equilibrium states arising in low-temperature (77K) reduction of water-glycerol of oxidized forms of protein with thermolyzed electrons. The Soret band was shown to be not split in low-temperature absorption spectra of reduced met-haemoglobin and its complexes unlike that of the equilibrium deoxyhaemoglobin. It was concluded that met-haemoglobin has a higher symmetry of the active centre as compared to deoxyhaemoglobin.

Endocrine events associated with spawning behavior in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

Levels of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were determined in plasma of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) undergoing certain behaviors associated with spawning in natural and artificial stream environments. Significantly higher levels of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were found in males than in females. In the artificial spawning channel, levels of estradiol were significantly higher in females exhibiting resting and swimming behaviors than in fanning, nest building, and spawning behaviors. No significant correlation was found with either progesterone or testosterone levels and the various reproductive behaviors. The data presented are the first experimental evidence that suggest gonadal steroids may be correlated with certain reproductive behaviors in the sea lamprey.

Serum levels of bilirubin and biliverdin in the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L., before and after their biliary atresia

1. The sera of ammocoetes, juvenile adults, and upstream migrants of the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L., were analyzed for the presence of the bile pigments, biliverdin and bilirubin. 2. Bile pigment was not detected in the sera of ammocoetes. 3. After biliary atresia (degeneration of bile ducts at metamorphosis), bilirubin and biliverdin were detected in the sera of both juvenile adults and upstream migrants. 4. These data suggest that lampreys have some bile stasis following biliary atresia, but also that they likely have alternate pathway(s) for bile pigment elimination.

Molecular models for the putative dimer of sea lamprey hemoglobin

The known structures for the tetramers of mammalian and clam hemoglobins provide a point of departure for the modeling of putative dimers of lamprey hemoglobin. The association of subunits is dissimilar for the clam and mammalian tetramers; the superposition of the molecular model for lamprey methemoglobin onto the mammalian and clam tetramers gives five distinct dimers. After energy minimization of the interface regions of the five models, three models afford promising interactions between side chains. One model is analogous to the alpha 1 beta 2 pairing of subunits of mammalian hemoglobins. The other two models are similar to the interfaces between the E and F helices and between the A and B helices of clam hemoglobin. Although the model based on the alpha 1 beta 2 mode of association provides the best explanation of biochemical properties of lamprey hemoglobin, such as the Bohr effect and the dependency of dimer formation on pH, interfaces between the E and F and the A and B helices could be important in the aggregation of monomers of lamprey hemoglobin beyond the level of the dimer.

Mechanisms of pH regulation in lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) red blood cells

Mechanisms regulating the red cell pH in lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) were studied using the ammonium chloride prepulse technique. The cells were initially incubated in a physiological saline containing 20 mmol l-1 ammonium chloride, and intracellular pH measured with the DMO technique. Ammonium chloride was then rapidly removed by centrifugation, and the changes in the intracellular pH followed. The intraerythrocytic pH is primarily regulated by an amiloride-sensitive sodium/proton exchange. When sodium is present in the incubation medium, the intracellular pH rapidly recovers from the acidification associated with the removal of ammonium chloride from the incubation. When sodium is removed from the incubation medium, intracellular pH does not recover, and when the cells are treated with 10(−3) mol l-1 amiloride in the presence of sodium, carbon dioxide and bicarbonate, the intracellular pH recovery is drastically reduced. The movements of carbon dioxide, its consecutive catalysed hydration and dissociation to protons and bicarbonate and, possibly, movements of bicarbonate out of the cell acidify the cell contents. This is shown by the observation that the steady-state intracellular pH is higher in a HEPES-buffered medium than in a CO2/HCO3(−)-buffered medium at the same extracellular pH. The acidification is dependent on cellular carbonic anhydrase activity, present in lamprey red cells, which speeds up the hydration reaction. When the action of carbonic anhydrase is inhibited by acetazolamide, removal of ammonium chloride from the incubation medium does not cause intracellular acidification.

Steroid and thyroid hormone profiles following a single injection of partly purified salmon gonadotropin or GnRH analogues in male and female sea lamprey

The effects of exogenous administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues or of a partly purified salmon gonadotropin extract (GTH) on the duration of steroid and thyroid hormone levels were determined in female and male sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus, tested under differing temperature and reproductive status. Plasma estradiol levels, but not androgens, were significantly elevated in response to the GnRH analogues or GTH injection compared to controls in female and male lampreys. Higher temperature and/or advance in time of maturation appeared to be inversely related to plasma estradiol levels. These data provide further evidence of hypothalamic control over reproductive function in lampreys. Plasma thyroxine was significantly elevated after female lampreys were treated with GTH, GnRHa (10 micrograms/lamprey) or GnRHa (1 microgram/lamprey) compared to controls. The present study is the first to demonstrate that the GnRH analogue stimulated in some way the pituitary-thyroid axis. These data suggest that a GnRH activity may activate both gonado- and thyrotropic secretion or that the endogenous hormone may itself have both functions in one of the most primitive vertebrates, the sea lamprey.

Changes in plasma steroid and thyroid hormones and insulin during final maturation and spawning of the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus

Circulating levels of plasma estradiol-17 beta, androgens, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, immunoreactive insulin, plasma fatty acids, and protein were measured at interval during the period of final gonadal maturation, prior to spawning of male and female sea lampreys. Plasma estradiol levels fluctuated significantly and generally covaried in males and females through time. In females, possibly in relation to environmental changes, mean plasma estradiol levels peaked four times during the final spawning period but decreased sharply at the time of ovulation. In males, mean plasma estradiol peaked seven times during the final prespawning period and, in contrast to females, peaked significantly at the time of final spermiation. Plasma androgens were extremely low and covaried in males and females through time. Like plasma steroid profiles, there were coordinated changes in plasma triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels in males and females through the prespawning season. There was a slight increase in plasma insulin during the terminal maturation of the lampreys. However, at ovulation, the insulin levels abruptly decreased in females, whereas in males they remained unchanged. Plasma protein and fatty acid levels gradually decreased until ovulation/spermiation. At ovulation plasma fatty acid levels increased.