RUI: Molecular Aspects of Salinity Acclimation in EuryhalineCrabs

这项拟议的研究将带来有关动物对环境变化做出反应的分子过程的新信息。所采用的模式系统是泛盐蟹，一种能够适应盐度的广泛变化，同时保持血液中相对恒定的盐分水平的动物。螃蟹调节血盐的过程包括两个运输系统，它们位于构成鳃衬里的细胞的两端。一种系统将钠离子从周围的水中带入细胞，以换取氢离子，从而帮助调节动物的酸碱状态和离子水平。另一个系统将钠离子从细胞泵入血液，这一次是以钾离子或铵离子为交换。在哺乳动物的肾脏中也有类似的机制，保留钠离子，而排泄氢离子和氨离子。研究螃蟹的好处是，这种动物自然会经历钠运输系统的需求大幅波动。该方法将检查螃蟹对盐度变化的分子反应，包括特定RNA和蛋白质分子合成或降解的变化。钠/氢离子交换器和钠/钾泵都将在研究计划中得到详细的关注。

The proposed research will lead to new information regarding the molecular processes by which animals respond to environmental change. The model system employed is the euryhaline crab, an animal capable of adjusting to broad changes of salinity, at the same time maintaining a relatively constant salt level in the blood. The process by which the crab regulates its blood salt includes two transport systems at opposite ends of the cells making up the gill lining. One system brings sodium ions into the cell from the ambient water, in exchange for hydrogen ions, thus helping to regulate the acid-base status as well as the ionic level of the animal. The other system pumps sodium ions from the cell into the blood, this time in exchange for potassium or ammonium ion. A similar mechanism operates in the mammalian kidney, retaining sodium ions while hydrogen ions and ammonium ions are excreted. The advantage of studying the crab is that the animal naturally experience wide fluctuations in demand on the sodium transport systems. The approach will be to examine the molecular responses of the crab to salinity change, including changes in the synthesis or degradation of specific RNA and protein molecules. Both the sodium/hydrogen ion exchanger and the sodium/potassium pump will receive detailed attention in the research program.//