Cellular mechanisms of ion and acid-base regulation in teleost gill ionocytes

• Published in: Journal of comparative physiology. B, Biochemical, systemic, and environmental physiology Vol. 194; no. 5; pp. 645 - 662
• Main Authors: Kovac, Anthony, Goss, Greg G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acid-Base Equilibrium - physiology; Acid-base regulation; Animal Physiology; Animals; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Environmental conditions; Experimental research; Fishes - metabolism; Fishes - physiology; Gills - metabolism; Gills - physiology; Homeostasis; Human Physiology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ions - metabolism; Life Sciences; Review; Sodium - metabolism; Species diversity; Zoology; Ionoregulation; NHE; Gill; Freshwater; Ionocyte; Seawater
• ISSN: 0174-1578; 1432-136X; 1432-136X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00360-024-01560-6

The mechanism(s) of sodium, chloride and pH regulation in teleost fishes has been the subject of intense interest for researchers over the past 100 years. The primary organ responsible for ionoregulatory homeostasis is the gill, and more specifically, gill ionocytes. Building on the theoretical and experimental research of the past, recent advances in molecular and cellular techniques in the past two decades have allowed for substantial advances in our understanding of mechanisms involved. With an increased diversity of teleost species and environmental conditions being investigated, it has become apparent that there are multiple strategies and mechanisms employed to achieve ion and acid-base homeostasis. This review will cover the historical developments in our understanding of the teleost fish gill, highlight some of the recent advances and conflicting information in our understanding of ionocyte function, and serve to identify areas that require further investigation to improve our understanding of complex cellular and molecular machineries involved in iono- and acid-base regulation.