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

The hexose part of glycolysis has been studied in the freshwater Chinese crab Eriocheir sinensis exposed to high pressure (101 ATA, i.e. 1000 m depth) at 14°C and in normoxic conditions. Glycolytic fluxes (from glucose, J_A and from Glucose 6 Phosphate, J_B) have been determined using NADH depletion during the conversion of dihydroxy acetone phosphate into α-glycerol phosphate. Measurements have been performed at 14 and 19°C. Pressure exposure induces an increase of glycolytic flux and a decrease of the time needed for the transition from aerobic to anaerobic glycolysis. As a consequence pressure-exposed crabs have a higher potential to increase glycolytic flux than control animals at atmospheric pressure. It is concluded that high pressure known to alter numerous enzymes individually, can also modify an overall metabolic pathway.