Microscopic diffusion in hydrated encysted eggs of brine shrimp

Publication date: Available online 24 May 2017
Source:Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects
Author(s): E. Mamontov
BackgroundWe have studied microscopic diffusion of water in fully hydrated encysted eggs of brine shrimp (Artemia).MethodsWe have utilized quasielastic neutron scattering.ResultsDry eggs of brine shrimp were rehydrated using (1) water without additives, (2) eutectic mixture of water and dimethyl sulfoxide, and (3) a concentrated aqueous solution of lithium chloride. Despite the complexity of the hydrated multicellular organism, measurable microscopic diffusivity of water is rather well defined. Pure hydration water in eggs exhibits freezing temperature depression, whereas hydration water in eggs mixed with dimethyl sulfoxide or lithium chloride does not crystallize at all.ConclusionsThe characteristic size of the voids occupied by water or aqueous solvents in hydrated brine shrimp eggs is between 2 and 10 nm. Those voids are accessible to co-solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and lithium chloride. There is no evidence of intracellular water in the hydrated eggs.General SignificanceThe lack of intracellular water in the fully hydrated (but still under arrested development) state must be linked to the unique resilience against adverse environmental factors documented not only for the anhydrous, but also hydrated encysted eggs of brine shrimp.

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