Mitochondrial physiology and responses to elevated hydrogen sulphide in two isogenic lineages of an amphibious mangrove fish [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Keri E. Martin, Suzanne Currie, and Nicolas Pichaud Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is toxic and can act as a selective pressure on aquatic organisms facilitating a wide range of adaptations for life in sulphidic environments. Rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus) inhabit mangrove swamps and have developed high tolerance to environmental H2S. Rivulus are hermaphroditic and can self-fertilize, producing distinct isogenic lineages with different sensitivity to H2S. Here, we tested the hypothesis that observed differences in responses to H2S are the result of differences in mitochondrial functions. For this purpose, we performed two experimental series testing 1) the overall mitochondrial oxidizing capacities and 2) the kinetics of apparent H2S mitochondrial oxidation and inhibition in two distinct lineages of mangrove Rivulus, originally collected from Belize and Honduras. We used permeabilized livers from both lineages, measured mitochondrial oxidation, and monitored changes during gradual increases of sulphide. Ultimately, we determined that each lineage has a distinct strategy for coping with elevated H2S, indicating divergences in mitochondrial function and metabolism. The Honduras lineage has higher anaerobic capacity substantiated by higher LDH activity and higher apparent H2S oxidation rates, likely enabling them to tolerate H2S by escaping aquatic H2S in a terrestrial environment. However, Belize fish have increased cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and citrate synthase activities as well...
Source: Journal of Experimental Biology - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research