A cytosolic carbonic anhydrase molecular switch occurs in the gills of metamorphic sea lamprey

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Ferreira Martins, D (Author) Other; McCormick, SD (Author) Other; Alexandre Campos (Author) FCUP; Lopes Marques, M (Author) Other; Osorio, H (Author) Other; Coimbra, J (Author) Other; Filipe F C Castro (Author) FCUP; Wilson, JM (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Scientific Reports

Vol. 6

ISSN: 2045-2322

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 18 Citations

Scopus - 18 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-49X

DOI: 10.1038/srep33954

Abstract (EN): Carbonic anhydrase plays a key role in CO2 transport, acid-base and ion regulation and metabolic processes in vertebrates. While several carbonic anhydrase isoforms have been identified in numerous vertebrate species, basal lineages such as the cyclostomes have remained largely unexamined. Here we investigate the repertoire of cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrases in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), that has a complex life history marked by a dramatic metamorphosis from a benthic filter-feeding ammocoete larvae into a parasitic juvenile which migrates from freshwater to seawater. We have identified a novel carbonic anhydrase gene (ca19) beyond the single carbonic anhydrase gene (ca18) that was known previously. Phylogenetic analysis and synteny studies suggest that both carbonic anhydrase genes form one or two independent gene lineages and are most likely duplicates retained uniquely in cyclostomes. Quantitative PCR of ca19 and ca18 and protein expression in gill across metamorphosis show that the ca19 levels are highest in ammocoetes and decrease during metamorphosis while ca18 shows the opposite pattern with the highest levels in post-metamorphic juveniles. We propose that a unique molecular switch occurs during lamprey metamorphosis resulting in distinct gill carbonic anhydrases reflecting the contrasting life modes and habitats of these life-history stages.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11