DOPAMINE AS A MODULATOR OF IONIC TRANSPORT AND GLYCOLYTIC FLUXES IN THE GILLS OF THE CHINESE CRAB, ERIOCHEIR-SINENSIS

1. Dopamine and dibutyryl cAMP induce a significant hyperpolarization when the so-called anterior and posterior gills isolated from the crab Eriocheir sinensis acclimated to freshwater are perfused with the same saline on both sides. 2. When compared to the anterior ones, the posterior gills show higher concentrations of fructose 2,6-biphosphate (Fru 2,6-bP) and a lower ATP/ADP ratio. 3. Perfusion with a freshwater or seawater saline decreases both the level of Fru 2,6-bP and the ATP/ADP ratio whereas dopamine and dibutyryl cAMP significantly increase the Fru 2,6-bP content for the posterior and the anterior gills.