Integrating ionic regulation, acid-base balance and cardiorespiratory function in fish

1. 我的大部分研究都是关于鱼类是如何适应不断变化的环境条件和急性或慢性压力源的。这个应用程序的一个很大的组成部分将涉及一种重要的激素对压力的反应，肾上腺素应激反应。这种旨在优化生理功能和最小化压力有害影响的反应是由两种激素释放到血液中引发的。这些激素，肾上腺素和去甲肾上腺素，被称为儿茶酚胺激素。这项拨款申请中提出的具体研究将试图阐明触发儿茶酚胺释放的复杂机制，这一过程目前在鱼类中还没有得到很好的理解。这项研究是特别相关的，因为鱼类继续面临恶化和紧张的环境条件。我整个研究计划的第二个组成部分是调查盐在鱼鳃中的运动性质及其与内部pH调节的联系。这些过程被称为离子和酸碱调节，近年来被加拿大科学家进行了深入的研究。我的实验室现在正在使用强大的分子技术来确认和扩展离子和酸碱调节的新模型。我的实验室已经克隆并将继续克隆几个被认为在离子和酸碱调节中起作用的基因。这使得通过鳃运输盐、酸和碱的特定分子的定位和彻底表征成为可能。我的研究的第三个方面解决了鱼类对环境二氧化碳心肺调节的原因和后果。拟议的研究将集中在确定鱼类二氧化碳化学接受的位置和揭示二氧化碳敏感性的机制。

1. Much of my research examines how fish are able to adapt to changing environmental conditions and acute or chronic stressors.  A large component of this application will address the involvement of an important hormonal response to stress, the adrenergic stress response.  This response, aimed at optimising physiological function and minimising the detrimental effects of stress, is initiated by the release of two hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones, adrenaline and noradrenaline, are termed the catecholamine hormones.  Specific research that is proposed in this grant application would attempt to elucidate the complex mechanisms triggering the release of catecholamines, a process that is presently not well understood in fish.  This research is particularly relevant as fish continue to encounter deteriorating and stressful environmental conditions.2. A second component of my overall research program investigates the nature of salt movement across the fish gill and its linkage to internal pH regulation.  These processes, termed ionic and acid-base regulation, have been investigated intensely by Canadian scientists in recent years. My lab is now using powerful molecular techniques to confirm and expand upon a new model for ionic and acid-base regulation. My lab has cloned and will continue to clone several of the genes that are thought to play a role in ionic and acid-base regulation.  This enables localisation and thorough characterisation of the specific molecules that transport salt, acids and bases across the gill.3. A third aspect of my research addresses the causes and consequences of the cardiorespiratory adjustments of fish to ambient carbon dioxide.  Proposed research will focus on identifying the sites of CO2 chemoreception in fish and uncovering the mechanisms underlying CO2 sensitivity.