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The Journal of Experimental Biology 205, 1153-1160 (2002)
© 2002 The Company of Biologists Limited

Changes in metabolic rate and N excretion in the marine invertebrate Sipunculus nudus under conditions of environmental hypercapnia : identifying effective acid—base variables

M. Langenbuch and H. O. Pörtner*

Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Ökophysiologie und Ökotoxikologie, Postfach 120161, D-27515 Bremerhaven, Germany

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: hpoertner{at}awi-bremerhaven.de )

Accepted 31 January 2002

Increased CO2 partial pressures (hypercapnia) as well as hypoxia are natural features of marine environments like the intertidal zone. Nevertheless little is known about the specific effects of CO2 on metabolism, except for the well-described effects on acid—base variables and regulation. Accordingly, the sediment-dwelling worm Sipunculus nudus was used as an experimental model to investigate the correlation of acid—base-induced metabolic depression and protein/amino acid catabolism, by determining the rates of oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion and O/N ratios in non-perfused preparations of body wall musculature at various levels of extra- and intracellular pH, PCO2 and [HCO3-]. A decrease in extracellular pH from control level (7.9) to 6.7 caused a reduction in aerobic metabolic rate of both normocapnic and hypercapnic tissues by 40-45 %. O/N ratios of 4.0-4.5 under control conditions indicate that amino acid catabolism meets the largest fraction of aerobic energy demand. A significant 10-15 % drop in ammonia excretion, a simultaneous reduction of O/N ratios and a transient accumulation of intracellular bicarbonate during transition to extreme acidosis suggest a reduction in net amino acid catabolism and a shift in the selection of amino acids used, favouring monoamino dicarboxylic acids and their amines (asparagine, glutamine, aspartic and glutamic acids). A drop in intracellular pH was identified as mediating this effect. In conclusion, the present data provide evidence for a regulatory role of intracellular pH in the selection of amino acids used by catabolism.

Key words: Sipunculus nudus, hypercapnia, acid—base variable, intracellular pH, amino acid catabolism




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© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2002