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Temperature effects on hemocyanin oxygen binding in an Antarctic cephalopod
Zielinski, S.; Sartoris, F.J.; Pörtner, H.O. (2001). Temperature effects on hemocyanin oxygen binding in an Antarctic cephalopod. Biol. Bull. 200: 67-76
In: The Biological Bulletin. Marine Biological Laboratory: Lancaster. ISSN 0006-3185; e-ISSN 1939-8697, more
Peer reviewed article  

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Zielinski, S.
  • Sartoris, F.J.
  • Pörtner, H.O.

Abstract
    The functional relevance of oxygen transport by hemocyanin of the Antarctic octopod Megaleledone senoi and of the eurythermal cuttlefish Sepia officinalis was analyzed by continuous and simultaneous recordings of changes in pH and hemocyanin oxygen saturation in whole blood at various temperatures. These data were compared to literature data on other temperate and cold-water cephalopods (octopods and giant squid). In S. officinalis, the oxygen affinity of hemocyanin changed at DP 50 /°C 5 0.12 kPa (pH 7.4) with increasing temperatures; this is similar to observations in temperate octopods. In M. senoi, thermal sensitivity was much smaller (,0.01 kPa, pH 7.2). Furthermore, M. senoi hemocyanin displayed one of the highest levels of oxygen affinity (P 50 , 1 kPa, pH 7.6, 0 °C) found so far in cephalopods and a rather low cooperativity (n 50 5 1.4 at 0 °C). The pH sensitivity of oxygen binding (D log P 50 /D pH) increased with increasing temperature in both the cuttlefish and the Antarctic octopod. At low PO 2 (1.0 kPa) and pH (7.2), the presence of a large venous oxygen reserve (43% saturation) insensitive to pH reflects reduced pH sensitivity and high oxygen affinity in M. senoi hemocyanin at 0 °C. In S. officinalis, this reserve was 19% at pH 7.4, 20 °C, and 1.7 kPa O 2 , a level still higher than in squid. These findings suggest that the lower metabolic rate of octopods and cuttlefish compared to squid is reflected in less pH-dependent oxygen transport. Results of the hemocyanin analysis for the Antarctic octopod were similar to those reported for Vampyroteuthis—an extremely high oxygen affinity supporting a very low metabolic rate. In contrast to findings in cold-adapted giant squid, the minimized thermal sensitivity of oxygen transport in Antarctic octopods will reduce metabolic scope and thereby contribute to their stenothermality.

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