AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol 238, Issue 3 213-R218, Copyright © 1980 by American Physiological Society
Polysaccharidic material in chloride cell of teleostean gill: modifications according to salinity
M. Pisam, C. Sardet and J. Maetz
The gill epithelium is known to be implicated in the hydromineral
regulation of teleosts, especially owing to its "chloride cells." We have
examined the polysaccharides of chloride cells from euryhaline teleosts
adapted to fresh- or saltwater. The use of periodic acid-chromic
acid-silver methenamine, colloidal thorium, or radioautography after
incorporation of [3H]glucosamine has shown that chloride cells are
characterized by a high concentration of polysaccharides in their apical
region (at the level of the vesiculotubular system) and by a special
polysaccharidic cell coat. The polysaccharide molecules originate from the
Golgi area; by 12 h they accumulate within the vesiculotubular system and
are released in the apical cavity of the cell within 24 h. In fresh- and
saltwater-adapted fish, the localization of polysaccharidic material in
chloride cells is basically the same. However, in saltwater-adapted fish,
the amount and turnover of the polysaccharide molecules are clearly
increased.
