High pressure and glycolytic flux in the freshwater Chinese crab, Eriocheir sinensis

The hexose part of glycolysis has been studied in the freshwater Chinese cr ab Eriocheir sinensis exposed to high pressure (101 ATA, i.c. 1000 m depth) at 14 degrees C and in normoxic conditions. Glycolytic fluxes (from glucos e, J(A) and from Glucose 6 Phosphate, J(B)) have been determined using NADH depletion during the conversion of dihydroxy acetone phosphate into alpha- glycerol phosphate. Measurements have been performed at 14 and 19 degrees C . Pressure exposure induces an increase of glycolytic flux and a decrease o f the time needed for the transition from aerobic to anaerobic glycolysis. As a consequence pressure-exposed crabs have a higher potential to increase glycolytic Aus than control animals at atmospheric pressure. It is conclud ed that high pressure known to alter numerous enzymes individually, can als o modify an overall metabolic pathway. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All r ights reserved.