Meeting Abstract
5’nucleotidase (5’NT) is an apical plasma membrane ectoenzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of AMP to adenosine, and plays a role in purinergic signaling. Purinergic signaling is known to be active in hypoxic responses is different species. 5’NT activity is known to occur at high levels in fish gill tissue, and histochemical studies show that this enzyme is localized to gill pillar cells. Evidence indicates that pillar cells have contractile capacity, which may relate to local control of gill perfusion in response to environmental conditions. To investigate the possible function of 5’NT in the gill, a fish-specific monoclonal antibody will be used to immunodetect (Western blot) and immunolocalize (fluorescence microscopy) the enzyme in largemouth bass gill and control tissues. Based on prior work, I expect 5’NT to be found on the vascular-facing plasma membranes of pillar cells. In addition, localization of 5’NT relative to molecular contractile elements (collagen and myosin) in pillar cells can permit a better understanding of pillar cell structure and function, including any putative role of 5’NT in regulation of gill hemodynamics.
