The alkaline environment, pH approximately 11, in the anterior midgut lumen of mosquito larvae is essential for normal nutrition and development. The mechanism of alkalization is, however, unknown. Although evidence from immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and electrophysiology suggests that a V-ATPase is present in the basal membranes of the epithelial cells, its physiological role in the alkalization process has not been demonstrated. To investigate a possible role of the V-ATPase in lumen alkalization, pH gradients emanating from the hemolymph side of the midgut in semi-intact mosquito larvae were measured using non-invasive, self-referencing, ion-selective microelectrodes (SERIS). Large H+ concentration gradients, with highest concentrations close to the basal membrane (outward [H+] gradients), were found in the anterior midgut, whereas much smaller gradients, with concentrations lowest close to this membrane (inward [H+] gradients), were found in the gastric caeca and posterior midgut. Similar region-specific pH gradients, with consistent anterior-to-posterior profiles, were observed in individuals of two Aedes species, Aedes aegypti from semi-tropical Florida and Aedes canadensis from north-temperate Massachusetts. The gradients remained in a steady state for up to 6 h, the maximum duration of the recordings. Bafilomycin A1 (10(−5), 10(−7)mol × l(−1)) on the hemolymph side greatly diminished the [H+] gradients in the anterior midgut but had no effect on the gradients in the gastric caecum and posterior midgut. These physiological data are consistent with the previous findings noted above. Together, they support the hypothesis that a basal, electrogenic H+ V-ATPase energizes luminal alkalization in the anterior midgut of larval mosquitoes.
JOURNAL ARTICLE|
15 February 2001
In situ analysis of pH gradients in mosquito larvae using non-invasive, self-referencing, pH-sensitive microelectrodes
D.Y. Boudko,
D.Y. Boudko
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
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L.L. Moroz,
L.L. Moroz
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
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P.J. Linser,
P.J. Linser
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
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J.R. Trimarchi,
J.R. Trimarchi
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
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P.J. Smith,
P.J. Smith
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
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W.R. Harvey
W.R. Harvey
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
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D.Y. Boudko
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
L.L. Moroz
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
P.J. Linser
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
J.R. Trimarchi
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
P.J. Smith
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
W.R. Harvey
The Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32086, USA. boudko@whitney.ufl.edu
Online ISSN: 1477-9145
Print ISSN: 0022-0949
© 2001 by Company of Biologists
2001
J Exp Biol (2001) 204 (4): 691–699.
Citation
D.Y. Boudko, L.L. Moroz, P.J. Linser, J.R. Trimarchi, P.J. Smith, W.R. Harvey; In situ analysis of pH gradients in mosquito larvae using non-invasive, self-referencing, pH-sensitive microelectrodes. J Exp Biol 15 February 2001; 204 (4): 691–699. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.204.4.691
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