ISSN:
1615-6102
Keywords:
Calcium
;
Contraction
;
Discophrya
;
Ionophore A23187
;
Ruthenium red
;
Tentacles
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary The tentacles of the suctorian protozoonDiscophrya collini are stimulated to contract by externally applied Ca2+. The role of extracellular Ca2+ in tentacle contraction was studied by monitoring45Ca2+ uptake, using ionophore A23187 to facilitate membrane transport of calcium and ruthenium red (RR) as an inhibitor of transport. The degree of tentacle retraction was dependent upon external Ca2+ concentration and studies with45Ca2+ using scintillation counting indicated a linear relationship between external Ca2+ concentration and Ca2+ uptake. Uptake of Ca2+ was enhanced in the presence of the ionophore while RR caused little inhibition.45Ca2+ uptake was only partially inhibited by RR when cells were subjected to a Ca2+, ionophore and RR mixture. Grain counts from light microscope autoradiographs after treatment of cells with45Ca2+/ionophore,45Ca2+/RR or45Ca2+ alone showed heavy, light and intermediate labelling respectively. In all instances the grains were evenly distributed within the cell. These observations are interpreted as supporting the suggestion that the ionophore enhances both the uptake of extracellular Ca2+ and release of Ca2+from an internal source, while the RR could only partially prevent movement of Ca2+ through the plasma mebrane. A model is presented suggesting that tentacle retraction is mediated by cytosolic Ca2+ levels which are determined by the fluxing of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane and the membrane of elongate dense bodies which act as internal Ca2+ reservoirs.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01279445
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