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Updated: Apr 8, 2026

Functional Analysis of the Larval Feeding Circuit in Drosophila

Functional Analysis of the Larval Feeding Circuit in Drosophila

Published on: November 19, 2013

Renal plasticity in response to feeding in the Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus.

A J Esbaugh¹, S M Secor², M Grosell³

¹Department of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78418, USA.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology

|July 1, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Burmese pythons remodel their kidneys after large meals to lower plasma bicarbonate levels. This adaptation helps manage acid-base balance following significant food intake.

Keywords:

Acid–base balance Alkaline tide CA IV Carbonic anhydrase Kidney Specific dynamic action V-type ATPase

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Area of Science:

Physiology
Comparative Biology
Renal Physiology

Background:

Burmese pythons consume large meals, causing significant alkaline tide.
Post-feeding acid-base compensation mechanisms, especially renal bicarbonate handling, are not well understood.
Hypoventilation compensates for acute pH changes, but chronic bicarbonate regulation requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the renal mechanisms Burmese pythons use to lower plasma bicarbonate after a large meal.
To determine if the python kidney undergoes cellular remodeling to facilitate bicarbonate excretion.
To identify changes in gene expression and enzyme activity related to acid-base transport post-feeding.

Main Methods:

Gene expression analysis of key acid-base transporters (carbonic anhydrases, NHE3, NBC, V-type ATPase).
Enzyme activity assays for carbonic anhydrase and V-type ATPase in kidney membranes.
Measurement of plasma total CO2 levels at various time points post-feeding.
Comparison of gene expression and enzyme activity between fed and fasted states.

Main Results:

Plasma total CO2 (bicarbonate) significantly increased 1 day post-feeding, returning to baseline by 4 days.
Carbonic anhydrase IV (CA IV) expression and GPI-linked CA activity decreased at 3 days post-feeding.
V-type ATPase activity increased at 3 days post-feeding, without changes in gene expression.
Carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) and Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) expression increased at 3 days post-feeding.

Conclusions:

Burmese pythons possess the cellular machinery for renal acid-base compensation.
The python kidney actively remodels post-feeding, down-regulating CA IV and up-regulating V-type ATPase and other transporters.
These renal adaptations limit bicarbonate reabsorption, aiding in the clearance of excess bicarbonate and restoring acid-base balance.