First demonstration of the neuroepithelial cells and their chemical code in the accessory respiratory organ and the gill of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus: A preliminary study

Giacomo Zaccone, John Maina, Antonino Germanà, Giuseppe Montalbano, Gioele Capillo, Luisa Aragona, Michał J. Kuciel, Eugenia Rita Lauriano, José M. Icardo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Available studies that have examined O 2 sensing in fish have indicated that oxygen-sensitive neuroepithelial cells (NECs) are O 2 sensors in the gills and initiate cardiorespiratory reflexes in aquatic vertebrates. This is the first study describing the occurrence of NECs in accessory respiratory organs in the air-breathing catfish Clarias gariepinus. Immunocytochemical stainings with specific neuronal markers such as nNOS, VAchT, 5-HT and TH have been shown to be very useful for location and distribution of these cells in the gill fans and suprabranchial chamber that take origin from the transformation of the gill tissue. But the response of these putative O 2 chemoreceptors, their role in the respiratory reflexes and their innervation await investigation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)160-166
Number of pages7
JournalActa Zoologica
Volume100
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2019

Keywords

  • Clarias gariepinus
  • accessory respiratory organ
  • neuroepithelial cells
  • neurotransmitter substances
  • nitric oxide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'First demonstration of the neuroepithelial cells and their chemical code in the accessory respiratory organ and the gill of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus: A preliminary study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this