Cortisol is the predominant corticosteroid in ray-finned fish since it does not possess aldosterone synthase necessary to produce specific mineralocorticoids. traditionally believed function as a mineralocorticoid. However, effects of cortisol are mediated through receptors other vertebrates, and there an ongoing debate about whether acts glucocorticoid receptor (GR) or mineralocorticoid (MR) t...

The larval epidermis of Xenopus is a bilayered epithelium, which is an excellent model system for the study of the development and function of mucosal and mucociliary epithelia. Goblet cells develop in the outer layer while multiciliated cells and ionocytes sequentially intercalate from the inner to the outer layer. Here, we identify and characterise a fourth cell type, the small secretory cell...

Maintenance of an acid-base balance is essential for normal physiological processes in vertebrates. Freshwater fishes live aquatic environment with variable pH, and their buffering capacity body fluids weak. Thus, after acid exposure, secrete excess to prevent internal acidosis. Acid-secreting ionocytes present the adult gills embryonic skin are primarily responsible secretion, H + -ATPase Na /...