Paracrine Control of Fish Gill Function

本研究将研究通过鱼鳃血管的血液流动的生理控制，以及盐在鳃组织细胞间运输的控制。鳃是气体交换、盐和水调节、含氮废物排泄和血液ph调节的主要部位。这项调节的研究可以为鱼类和脊椎动物的各种生理过程提供重要线索。研究将继续探讨局部信号剂（称为旁分泌）如内皮素（ET）、一氧化氮（NO）、超氧离子（SO）和前列腺素（pg）在鳃功能中的作用。目前的证据表明，所有这些药物都可以改变通过鳃血管的血液流动，以及盐在鳃组织中的运输。此外，这些药物似乎可能是信号级联的成员，例如，ET通过产生pg来产生其作用。研究人员将使用多种生理学、免疫学和分子技术来确定这些信号剂的作用，并研究它们在盐度变化条件下的相互作用。在这项研究中，研究生和本科生将有独特的训练机会，学习广泛的生理技术，包括在Mount Desert Island生物实验室度过的时间。这项研究将增加我们对鱼类基本生物学的认识，并将提供有关这些细胞信号机制在脊椎动物进化中的进化信息。

This research will examine the physiological control of blood flow through the blood vessels in the fish gill, as well as the control of salt transport across the cells in the gill tissue. The gill is the major site of gas exchange, salt and water regulation, excretion of nitrogenous wastes, and regulation of blood pH. This study of regulation can provide important clues to a variety of physiological processes in fish, and vertebrates in general. Research will continue to investigate the role(s) of the local signaling agents (termed paracrines) such as endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide ion (SO), and prostaglandins (PGs), in gill function. Current evidence suggests that all of these agents can alter blood flow through gill vessels, as well as salt transport across the gill tissue. Moreover, it appears that these agents may be members of a signaling cascade whereby (for instance) ET produces its effects via the production of PGs. The investigators will use a variety of physiological, immunological, and molecular techniques to determine the effects of these signaling agents and study their interactions under the conditions of salinity change. Unique training opportunities will occur for graduate and undergraduate students on this research in a wide range of physiological techniques including time spent at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory. This research will increase our knowledge of basic biology in fishes and will provide information about the evolution of these cellular signaling mechanisms in the evolution of the vertebrates.