Relationship between gill Na+,K+‐activated ATPase activity and osmotic stress in the plecopteran nymph, Paragnetina media

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A relationship between osmotic stress and gill Na+,K+‐activated ATPase was observed in plecopteran nymphs acclimated to diluted creek water and a hypertonic medium. An increase of 84% in diluted creek water is presumably related to an active uptake of sodium ions from the hypotonic medium. Whereas a 21% decrease in the enzyme activity may be related to the morphological changes in the specialized cells in the gills. The Na+, K+‐activated ATPase activity was also compared with the Malpighian tubules and the rectum. The highest ATPase activity of 32.6 ± 2 μmoles Pi mg protein−1 30 min−1 was observed in the Malpighian tubules. The activity in the gills (19 ± 1.2 μmoles Pi mg−1 30 min−1) was slightly lower than the rectum. Since the ATPase activity in the gills is quite high, the gills can be considered to play an active role in hyperosmotic regulation in plecopteran nymphs.

This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit: