Osmotic shock
Osmotic shock or osmotic stress is
All organisms have mechanisms to respond to osmotic shock, with sensors and
In
Recovery and tolerance mechanisms
For hyper-osmotic stress
Calcium plays a large role in the recovery and tolerance for both hyper and hypo-osmotic stress situations. Under hyper-osmotic stress conditions, increased levels of intracellular calcium are exhibited. This may play a crucial role in the activation of second messenger pathways.[7]
One example of a calcium activated second messenger molecule is MAP Kinase Hog-1. It is activated under hyper-osmotic stress conditions[8] and is responsible for an increase in the production of glycerol within the cell succeeding osmotic stress. More specifically, it works by sending signals to the nucleus that activate genes responsible for glycerol production and uptake.[8]
For hypo-osmotic stress
Hypo-osmotic stress recovery is largely mediated by the influx and efflux of several ions and molecules. Cell recovery after hypo-osmotic stress has shown to be consistent with an influx of extracellular Calcium.[9] This influx of calcium may alter the cell's permeability.[9]
Additionally, some organisms have been shown to use phenothiazines to regulate and prevent the efflux of amino acids. Changes in the cell's permeability allows the efflux of amino acids during recovery.[9]
Hypo-osmotic stress is correlated with extracellular ATP release. ATP is used to activate purinergic receptors.[10] These receptors regulate sodium and potassium levels on either side of the cell membrane.
Osmotic damage in humans
See also
- Osmolyte
- Myo-Inositol
- Taurine and Taurine-transporting ATPase
- Creatine
- Betaines
- Trimethylglycine – A Betaine and metabolite of Choline
- Sorbitol
- Glycerophosphocholine