Abstract

Copper ions induce the activation of TRP channels at 4, 8, 12, 80 and 86 min and at 5 and 9 h of exposure in Ulva compressa. In order to detect earlier responses, the alga was incubated with 10 μM copper, and with inhibitors of human TRPs A1, C4/C5, C5/M8, M8 and V1 which were incorporated just after copper addition (time 0), and after 1 and 2 min of copper exposure, and depolarization events at 4, 8 and 13 min were detected. Depolarizations involved the activation of TRP of A1/C5/M8 at time 0; TRP A1/C4/M8/V1 after time 1 min; and TRP A1/C5/M8 after 2 min of copper exposure. In addition, inhibitors of glutamate-like receptor (GluR), serotonin and adrenalin receptors were used. Inhibitors of GluR of NMDA type, added at time 0, inhibitors of GluR of AMPA/KA type, added at time 1 and 2 min, and inhibitors of serotonin and adrenalin receptors added after 2 min inhibit depolarizations at 4, 8 and 12 min. Moreover, release of aminoacids phenylalanine, tryptophan, methionine and arginine as well as serotonin and adrenalin to the extracellular medium was detected. In addition, proten kinases CaMK, PKA, PKC and PKG participate in depolarization events at 4, 8 and 12 min. Thus, copper excess induces the activation of mosaic TRP channels, the release of aminoacids, serotonin, and adrenalin, and the activation of glutamate-, adrenalin-, and serotonin-like receptors which are involved in depolarization events observed at 4, 8 and 12 min of copper exposure. Financed by Fondecyt 1160013.