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Biochemical adaptation of the muscles of the channichthyidae to their lack in hemoglobin and myoglobin

1988; Elsevier BV; Volume: 90; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0305-0491(88)90295-7

0305-0491

G. Hamoir,

Hemoglobin structure and function

1. The Channichthyidae do not lack only hemoglobin, but also myoglobin. 2. The absence of these two respiratory pigments do not prevent an apparently normal differentiation of striated muscle into its three usual main types: the white (fast) skeletal, the red (slow) skeletal and the cardiac muscles, each type differing by its content in mitochondria as well as its amount and distribution of parvalbumins. 3. The ultrastructure of the heart of a Channichthyidae has been compared to that of a hemoglobin species living in the same region. Its extensive extramural vascular network and its spongy myocardium favor the oxygenation. The mitochondria, the volume of which amounts to 18% of the total volume, look more dense than in the case of the hemoglobin species. 4. The extension of such a comparison to the metabolic patterns reveals a heart content three times higher in carnitine suggesting a higher lipid consumption by the myoglobin-free heart. Its six times higher lactate dehydrogenase content is also quite remarkable and should contribute to avoid hypoxia.