High-speed video cinematographic demonstration of stalk and zooid contraction of Vorticella convallaria.

Stalk contraction and zooid contraction of living Vorticella convallaria were studied by high-speed video cinematography. Contraction was monitored at a speed of 9000 frames per second to study the contractile process in detail. Complete stalk contraction required approximately 9 ms. The maximal contraction velocity, 8.8 cm/s, was observed 2 ms after the start of contraction. We found that a twist appeared in the zooid during contraction. As this twist unwound, the zooid began to rotate like a right-handed screw. The subsequent stalk contraction steps, the behavior of which was similar to that of a damped harmonic oscillator, were analyzed by means of the equation of motion. From the beginning of stalk contraction, the Hookean force constant increased, and reached an upper limit of 2.23 x 10(-4) N/m 2-3 ms after the start of contraction. Thus, within 2 ms, the contraction signal spread to the entire stalk, allowing the stalk to generate the full force of contraction. The tension of an extended stalk was estimated to be 5.58 x 10(-8) N from the Hookean force constant of a stalk. This value coincides with that of the isometric tension of a glycerol-treated V. convallaria, confirming that the contractile system of V. convallaria is well preserved despite glycerol treatment.     

Effects of membrane polarization on sarcoplasmic calcium release in skeletal muscle

Calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum was investigated in voltage-clamped, tetrodotoxin-treated frog skeletal muscle fibres injected with arsenazo III. Short (5 ms) depolarizing pulses (test pulses) produced a transient change in arsenazo III absorption, signalling an increase in intracellular calcium in concentration (calcium transient). Conditioning subthreshold depolarizations, which preceded the test pulse, potentiated the calcium transient triggered by the test pulse. Conditioning hyperpolarizations, applied either before or after the test pulse, inhibited the calcium transient. These effects of conditioning polarizations on the calcium transient may explain similar effects of subthreshold polarizations on muscle contraction that have previously been reported. The potentiating effect of subthreshold depolarizations was observed only when the test pulse was short (5 ms). The potentiating effect develops at -48 mV with a time constant of about 7 ms at 6.5 degrees C; this seems to be slower than that predicted by the potential spread from the surface along the tubular system. Thus, part of the effect could arise from the coupling process between tubular depolarization and calcium release.     

Contraction of protoplasm. IV. Cinematographic analysis of the contraction of some peritrichs

The contraction and relaxation of Vorticella difficilis, V. campanula and Carchesium sp. were studied by high speed cinematography. In Vorticella it was shown that coiling of the stalk usually started near the zooid and spread downwards; the point of initiation bore no relation to the position of the stimulating electrodes. Contraction took about 5 msec to complete, and the fully contracted animals were 29 ± 3.9% of their original lengths. The zooids were 66 ± 5.0% and the stalks 14 ± 6.0% of their original lengths (V. difficilis). The shortening of the stalk was mostly in the form of coiling. Measurement of the myoneme length demonstrated that its real shortening was less than 10%. Thus the contraction is virtually isometric, producing a helical deformation of the stalk. As the stalk contracts it takes the form of a steeply pitched helix. This change in shape should produce rotational forces on the zooid (torque). Physical models of similar proportions produced about 1.5 revolutions of torque for similar changes in pitch. However during contraction no turning of the zooid was detected, though rotation did occur after the completion of contraction. In Carchesium the contraction is not so isometric, the myoneme apparently shortening by 20%. While the coiled shape of the contracted Vorticella stalk can be explained by its acentric structures, the stalk of Carchesium is much more symmetrical in cross-section, demonstrating that a high acentricity is not necessary for helical coiling. In all three species there seems to be some separation of the control of zooid and stalk contraction.     

Cell proliferation and growth inZoothamnium niveum (Oligohymenophora, Peritrichida) — Thiotrophic bacteria symbiosis

Chemolithoautotrophic, sulphide-oxidizing (thiotrophic) symbioses represent spectacular adaptations to fluctuating environmental gradients and survival is often accomplished when growth is fuelled by sufficient nourishment through the symbionts leading to fast cell proliferation. Here we show 5′-bromo-2′ deoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse labelling of vegetative growingZoothamnium niveum, a colonial ciliate obligately associated with thiotrophic ectosymbionts, and demonstrate age related growth profiles in three heteromorphic host cell types. At the colony’s apex, a large top terminal zooid performed high proliferation activity, which decreased significantly with increasing colony age but was still present in old colonies indicating that this cell possesses lifelong cell division potential. In contrast, terminal branch zooids proliferated independent of colony age but appeared to be limited by their cell division capacity predetermined by branch size, thus leading to the strict, feather-shaped colony form. Appearance of labelled terminal branch zooids allowed us to distinguish a highly proliferating apical colony region from an almost inactive, senescent basal region. In macrozooids attached to the colony, extensive BrdU labelling suggests that DNA synthesis occurs in preparation for a new generation. As motile swarmers, the macrozooids seem to be arrested in the cell cycle and mitosis and cell division occur when the swarmer settles and transforms into a top terminal zooid buildingup a new colony.     

Effects of ryanodine on intracellular Ca2+ transients in mammalian cardiac muscle

We observed the effects of ryanodine on the aequorin luminescence, membrane potential, and contraction of canine cardiac Purkinje fibers and ferret ventricular muscle. In canine Purkinje fibers, ryanodine (10 nM to 1 microM) abolished the spontaneous spatiotemporal fluctuations in [Ca2+] that occur as a result of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) during exposure to low-Na+ solutions. Ryanodine strongly reduced the twitch and both components of the intracellular aequorin luminescence signal (L1 and L2), which normally accompanies contraction. The small luminescence signals that remained in ryanodine could be abolished by a Ca2+ channel blocker (nitrendipine, 10 microM). The plateau phase of the action potential was reduced by nitrendipine in the presence of ryanodine, which suggests that Ca2+ current was not blocked by ryanodine. In ferret ventricular tissue, ryanodine (1 microM) prolonged the action potential and reduced the peak amplitudes of both the aequorin transient and the twitch, while greatly prolonging the time-to-peak of both signals. Increases in extracellular [Ca2+] restored the peak amplitudes of the twitch and the aequorin luminescence, but did not restore the normal time-to-peak. The results show that in both tissues, the negative inotropic effect of ryanodine is due to the reduction of the intracellular [Ca2+] transient. Inasmuch as neither Ca2+ entry via surface membrane Ca2+ channels nor Na+-Ca2+ exchange appears to be blocked by ryanodine, the most probable cause of reduction of the [Ca2+] transient is an inhibition of Ca2+ release by the SR.     

Effects of external calcium, magnesium, and temperature on spontaneous contractions of pregnant human myometrium

Spontaneous isometric contractions of small isolated segments from the isthmic region of pregnant human myometrium were recorded to clarify the characteristics of and influences of experimental conditions on contractions. There is a spontaneous periodicity in membrane activity of human myometrium, and contractions evoked with a sustained electric stimulus were affected by spontaneous rhythmic contractions. The frequency of contractions increased markedly, but their duration decreased when temperature of the bathing fluid was increased from 26 degrees C to 39 degrees C. Both excess (7 mM) and low (0.5 mM) calcium levels suppressed the generation of spontaneous contraction. Frequency and half-duration gradually decreased when external magnesium was increased from 0 mM to 3.6 mM. These results indicate that the pattern of contraction depends on the frequency of and intervals between each action potential, and that spontaneous contractility-particularly its frequency-is extremely sensitive to external temperature and ionic conditions.     

In vivo recording of electrical activity of canine tracheal smooth muscle.

Electrical activity of the tracheal smooth muscle was studied using extracellular bipolar electrodes in 37 decerebrate, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated dogs. A spontaneous oscillatory potential that consisted of a slow sinusoidal wave of 0.57 +/- 0.13 (SD) Hz mean frequency but lacked a fast spike component was recorded from 15 dogs. Lung collapse accomplished by bilateral pneumothoraxes evoked or augmented the slow potentials that were associated with an increase in tracheal muscle contraction in 26 dogs. This suggests that the inputs from the airway mechanoreceptors reflexly activate the tracheal smooth muscle cells. Bilateral vagal transection abolished both the spontaneous and the reflexly evoked slow waves and provided relaxation of the tracheal smooth muscle. Electrical stimulation of the distal nerve with a train pulse (0.5 ms, 1-30 Hz) evoked slow-wave oscillatory potentials accompanied by a contraction of the tracheal smooth muscle in all the experimental animals. Our observations in this in vivo study confirm that the electrical activity of tracheal smooth muscle consists of slow oscillatory potentials and that tracheal contraction is at least partly coupled to the slow-wave activity of the smooth muscle.     

Properties of the calcium-activated chloride current in heart

We used the whole cell patch clamp technique to study transient outward currents of single rabbit atrial cells. A large transient current, IA, was blocked by 4-aminopyridine (4AP) and/or by depolarized holding potentials. After block of IA, a smaller transient current remained. It was completely blocked by nisoldipine, cadmium, ryanodine, or caffeine, which indicates that all of the 4AP-resistant current is activated by the calcium transient that causes contraction. Neither calcium-activated potassium current nor calcium-activated nonspecific cation current appeared to contribute to the 4AP-resistant transient current. The transient current disappeared when ECl was made equal to the pulse potential; it was present in potassium-free internal and external solutions. It was blocked by the anion transport blockers SITS and DIDS, and the reversal potential of instantaneous current-voltage relations varied with extracellular chloride as predicted for a chloride-selective conductance. We concluded that the 4AP-resistant transient outward current of atrial cells is produced by a calcium-activated chloride current like the current ICl(Ca) of ventricular cells (1991. Circulation Research. 68:424-437). ICl(Ca) in atrial cells demonstrated outward rectification, even when intracellular chloride concentration was higher than extracellular. When ICa was inactivated or allowed to recover from inactivation, amplitudes of ICl(Ca) and ICa were closely correlated. The results were consistent with the view that ICl(Ca) does not undergo independent inactivation. Tentatively, we propose that ICl(Ca) is transient because it is activated by an intracellular calcium transient. Lowering extracellular sodium increased the peak outward transient current. The current was insensitive to the choice of sodium substitute. Because a recently identified time-independent, adrenergically activated chloride current in heart is reduced in low sodium, these data suggest that the two chloride currents are produced by different populations of channels.     

Acidosis facilitates spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in rat myocardium

Previous studies have shown that acidosis increases myoplasmic [Ca2+] (Cai). We have investigated whether this facilitates spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release and its functional sequelae. In unstimulated rat papillary muscles, exposure to an acid solution (produced by increasing the [CO2] of the perfusate from 5 to 20%) caused a rapid increase in the mean tissue Cai, as measured by the photoprotein aequorin. This was paralleled by an increase in spontaneous microscopic tissue motion caused by localized Ca2+ myofilament interactions, as monitored in fluctuations in the intensity of laser light scattered by the muscle. In regularly stimulated muscles, acidosis increased the size of the Ca2+ transient associated with each contraction and caused the appearance of Cai oscillations in the diastolic period. In unstimulated single myocytes, acidosis depolarized the resting membrane potential by approximately 5 mV and enhanced the frequency of spontaneous contractile waves. The small sarcolemmal depolarization associated with each contractile wave increased and occasionally initiated spontaneous action potentials. In regularly stimulated myocytes, acidosis caused de novo spontaneous contractile waves between twitches; these waves were associated with a decrease in the amplitude of the subsequent stimulated twitch. Ryanodine (2 microM) abolished all evidence of spontaneous Ca2+ release during acidosis, markedly reduced the acidosis-induced increase in aequorin light, and reduced resting tension. We conclude that acidosis increases the likelihood for the occurrence of spontaneous SR Ca2+ release, which can cause spontaneous action potentials, increase resting tension, and negatively affect twitch tension.     

Temporal associations among pulses of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2alpha, luteal blood flow, and luteolysis in cattle

Luteal blood flow was studied in heifers by transrectal color-Doppler ultrasound. Data were normalized to the decrease in plasma progesterone to <1 ng/ml (Day 0 or Hour 0). Blood flow in the corpus luteum (CL) was estimated by the percentage of CL area with color flow signals. Systemic prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) treatment (25 mg; n=4) resulted in a transient increase in CL blood flow during the initial portion of the induced decrease in progesterone. Intrauterine treatment (1 or 2 mg) was done to preclude hypothetical secondary effects of systemic treatment. Heifers were grouped into responders (luteolysis; n=3) and nonresponders (n=5). Blood flow increased transiently in both groups; induction of increased blood flow did not assure the occurrence of luteolysis. A transient increase in CL blood flow was not detected in association with spontaneous luteolysis when examinations were done every 12 h (n=6) or 24 h (n=10). The role of PGF pulses was studied by examinations every hour during a 12-h window each day during expected spontaneous luteolysis. At least one pulse of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2alpha (PGFM) was identified in each of six heifers during the luteolytic period (Hours -48 to -1). Blood flow increased (P<0.02) during the 3-h ascending portion of the PGFM pulse, remained elevated for 2 h after the PGFM peak, and then decreased (P<0.03) to baseline. Results supported the hypothesis that CL blood flow increased and decreased with individual PGFM pulses during spontaneous luteolysis.     

三七总皂苷对家兔离体小肠平滑肌自发收缩活动的影响

目的：观察三七总皂苷对家兔离体小肠平滑肌收缩活动的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法：取健康家兔,雌雄不拘,将小肠离体后恒温灌流,观察三七总皂苷对家兔小肠自发收缩活动的影响;在灌流液中分别加入BayK8644、左旋硝基精氨酸甲酯（L-NAME）后再加入三七总皂苷,研究其作用机制;在无钙台式液中加入rynodine后再加入三七总皂苷,研究其作用机制。结果：三七总皂苷剂量依赖性的抑制家兔离体小肠平滑肌收缩的幅度。BayK8644和L-NAME均可完全阻断三七总皂苷对家兔小肠平滑肌收缩活动的抑制作用。在无钙台式液中,三七总皂苷显著抑制rynodine引起的细胞内钙收缩活动。结论：三七总皂苷显著抑制家兔小肠平滑肌的收缩活动,其抑制收缩活动机制可能是：增加小肠平滑肌NO浓度,从而抑制细胞外钙内流和内钙释放。     

Ovulation and egg segregation in the tunic of a colonial ascidian,Diplosoma listerianum (Tunicata,Ascidiacea)

Summary The process of egg segregation in the tunic of the ovoviviparous ascidian Diplosoma listerianum was studied by light and electron microscopy. One egg at a time was seen to mature in each zooid. The eggs had large yolk and grew on the ovary wall enveloped in four layers: (1) outer follicle cells (OFC), long and rich in RER (rough endoplasmic reticulum) and with dense granules in the Golgi region; (2) flat inner follicle cells (IFC); (3) a loosely fibrillar vitelline coat (VC); (4) test cells encased on the egg surface. The growing egg protrudes from the ovary wall and presses on the contiguous epidermis. Granulocytes enter the space between the epidermis and the egg and insinuate cytoplasmic protrusions, disrupting the continuity of the OFC layer. At ovulation, OFC and IFC are discharged and form a post-ovulatory follicle (corpus luteum). The epidermis shrinks and closes, possibly by activation of microfilaments, causing the egg to be completely surrounded by the tunic. In the zooid, the wound caused by the passage of the egg is repaired both by contraction of the epidermis and by phagocytic activity. Altered spermatozoans are found in phagocytosing cells in the lumen of the ovary. These are presumably remnants of those which entered to fertilize the egg before segregation.     

Involvement of K(+)-channel opening in endothelin-1 induced suppression of spontaneous contractions in the guinea pig taenia coli.

Effects of porcine-human endothelin-1 on mechanical as well as electrical activities and on intracellular free Ca2+ levels in the guinea pig taenia coli were compared with those of nifedipine, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blocker. Endothelin-1 (0.1-100 nM) caused a concentration-dependent suppression of spontaneous contractions but did not significantly affect the sustained contraction evoked by 40 mM KCl. However, nifedipine (0.1-100 nM) inhibited both types of contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. In electrophysiological studies, endothelin-1 (30 nM) or nifedipine (30 nM) eliminated spontaneous spike discharges. Endothelin-1 produced hyperpolarization, while nifedipine did not change the resting membrane potential. The endothelin-1 induced suppression of spontaneous contractions was dose-dependently antagonized by apamin (0.01-10 nM), an inhibitor of a small conductance Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channel, and D-tubocurarine (10-100 microM), an inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channel, but was unaffected by 4-aminopyridine (0.01-1 mM), an inhibitor of a voltage-dependent K+ channel. In the study with fura 2 excited at 340 nm, endothelin-1 abolished, from the tissue, the fluorescence signals that were coupled with spontaneous contraction. It is suggested that the inhibitory action of endothelin-1 on spontaneous contraction may be caused by hyperpolarization of the membrane that reduces the spontaneous generation of spike discharge coupled normally to an increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ levels in the guinea pig taenia coli. The hyperpolarization may be caused by activating apamin-sensitive Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels.     

Combined effects of octopamine and filling pressure on the isolated heart of the lobster,Panulirus japonicus

Summary The effects of octopamine (OA) on the isolated and pumping heart of Panulirus japonicus were investigated. Under low filling pressure, OA (10^-7-10^-5 M) decreased the heart rate and enhanced the first systolic contraction (FSC) while reducing the second systolic contraction (SSC). The decrease in heart rate was transient whereas the enhancement of the FSC continued for 10 min or more after washout of OA. Pressure and OA synergistically intensified the FSC and reduced the SSC. The effect of OA on heart rate changed from a deceleration to an acceleration as the pressure was raised. Octopamine decreased both the firing frequency and the burst rate of the small cardiac neurons in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the amine often induced a slow ramp potential in the large cardiac neurons and increased their burst rate. Octopamine had no effect on the excitatory junction potentials evoked in cardiac muscle cells. Contraction and closure of the posterior cardioarterial valve were induced by OA, resulting in rebound internal heart pressure and stretching of the heart. The stretch augmented the heart rate and the FSC. The inhibition of small cardiac neurons by OA was related to the reduction of the heart rate and the SSC. The activation of large cardiac neurons and of cardiac and valve muscles by OA augmented the heart rate and the FSC. These multiple actions on the perfused heart lead to abolition of the SSC. After abolition of the SSC, increases of pressure can rapidly raise the heart rate.Abbreviations EJP excitatory junction potential - FLP first large potential - FSC first systolic contraction - OA octopamine - SLP second large potential - SSC second systolic contraction     

Effects of GABA on circular smooth muscle spontaneous activities of rat distal colon

GABAergic regulation of intestinal motility through the modulation of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) neurons remains poorly understood especially in rat colon where very few studies have been undertaken. Therefore, the effects of GABA on circular preparations of rat distal colon were investigated using classical organ bath chambers to record spontaneous mechanical activities (SMA). SMA was characterized by the occurrence of rhythmic phasic contractions (type-I) or by spontaneously occurring large contractions superimposed on small rhythmic contractions (type-II). In the presence of atropine and guanethidine (NANC conditions), these large contractions were inhibited by bicuculline, a GABA(A)-receptor antagonist as well as by TTX, L-NAME and apamin together, or L 732-138, a NK1-receptor antagonist. In NANC conditions, GABA induced a transient monophasic relaxation or a biphasic effect characterized by a relaxation followed by a tonic contraction in both type-I and -II preparations. Both the inhibitory and excitatory effects of GABA were blocked by TTX and L-NAME + apamin; the GABA-induced contraction was also sensitive to L 732-138. The responses to GABA were mimicked by the GABA(A)-receptor agonist, muscimol, whereas baclofen and CACA, respectively GABA(B) and GABA(C)-receptors agonists showed no effect. These results demonstrated that only GABA(A)-receptors seem to be involved in the regulation of SMA in rat distal colon in NANC conditions. Release of NANC inhibitory transmitter (NO and probably ATP) and NANC excitatory transmitter (maybe substance P) might be involved.     

Resource allocation in ascidians: reproductive investment vs. other life-history traits

Abstract. To determine patterns of resource allocation among ascidians, we studied 16 colonial and solitary species. We measured investment in reproductive vs. structural material (tunic) both in terms of weight and caloric content, as well as fecundity and degree of larval complexity in the colonial species. Measurements in weight and caloric content were highly correlated in the species studied. A wide range of investment in reproduction was found. Tunic production was related to the growth form of the species, stolonic and solitary species investing less in tunic than massive species, but no significant relationship was found between investment in tunic production vs. reproduction. In colonial species we found that in species with small zooid size, the reproductive investment per zooid was significantly higher. There was a significant negative relationship between investment in reproduction and fecundity. We also found a significant relationship between reproductive investment and larval complexity. The overall trend was that species with low fecundity had large complex larvae and invested the most energy in reproduction.     

Role of intracellular Ca(2+) release in histamine-induced depolarization in rabbit middle cerebral artery

The role of Ca(2+) mobilization from intracellular stores and Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels in caffeine- and histamine-induced depolarization and contraction of the rabbit middle cerebral artery has been studied by recording membrane potential and isometric force. Caffeine induced a transient contraction and a transient followed by sustained depolarization. The transient depolarization was abolished by ryanodine, DIDS, and niflumic acid, suggesting involvement of Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels. Histamine-evoked transient contraction in Ca(2+)-free solution was abolished by ryanodine or by caffeine-induced depletion of Ca(2+) stores. Ryanodine slowed the development of depolarization induced by histamine in Ca(2+)-containing solution but did not affect its magnitude. In arteries treated with 1 mM Co(2+), histamine elicited a transient depolarization and contraction, which was abolished by ryanodine. DIDS and niflumic acid reduced histamine-evoked depolarization and contraction. Histamine caused a sustained depolarization and contraction in low-Cl(-) solution. These results suggest that Ca(2+) mobilization from ryanodine-sensitive stores is involved in histamine-induced initial, but not sustained, depolarization and contraction. Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels contribute mainly to histamine-induced initial depolarization and less importantly to sustained depolarization, which is most likely dependent on activation of nonselective cation channels.     

Negative relationship between odor-induced spike activity and spontaneous oscillations in the primary olfactory system of the terrestrial slug Limax marginatus

Although primary olfactory systems in various animals display spontaneous oscillatory activity, its functional significance in olfactory processing has not been elucidated. The tentacular ganglion, the primary olfactory system of the terrestrial slug Limax marginatus, also displays spontaneous oscillatory activity at 1-2 Hz. In the present study, we examined the relationship between odor-evoked spike activity and spontaneous field potential oscillations in the tentacular nerve, representing the pathway from the primary olfactory system to the olfactory center. Neural activity was recorded from the tentacular nerve before, during and after application of various odors (garlic, carrot, and rat chow) to the sensory epithelium and the changes in firing rate and spontaneous oscillations were analyzed. We detected the baseline amplitude of the oscillations and baseline spike activity before stimulation. Odor stimulations for 20 s or 60 s evoked a transient increase in the firing rate followed by a decrease in the amplitude of spontaneous oscillations. The decrease in the amplitude was larger in the first 8 s of stimulation and subsequently showed recovery during stimulation. The amplitude of the recovered oscillations often fluctuated. Odor-evoked spikes appeared when the amplitude of the recovered oscillations was transiently small. These results suggest that the large oscillations could inhibit spike activity whereas the first transient increase in spike activity was followed by the decrease in the oscillation amplitude. Our results indicate that there is a significant negative correlation between spontaneous oscillations and odor-evoked spike activity, suggesting that the spontaneous oscillations contribute to the olfactory processing in slugs.     

Anemonia sulcata toxin (ATX II) enhances spontaneous electrical activity and tension in chronically denervated rat diaphragm

In isolated strips of rat diaphragm denervated 9-21 days prior to experimentation, spontaneous action potentials were recorded extracellularly and twitch and resting tension were measured. The sea anemone toxin ATX II enhances the occurrence of spontaneous action potentials, increases resting tension and depresses twitch tension. These effects are essentially irreversible. In low sodium solution substituted with sucrose the effects of ATX II are attenuated, however, they fully develop upon return to normal sodium solution with a marked transient increase in the incidence of spontaneous action potentials and in resting tension. ATX II remains uneffective after pretreatment with tetrodotoxin. Reelevation of the extracellular sodium concentration after exposure to low sodium solution per se causes a marked increase in occurrence of fibrillation potentials, however the transient increase in resting tension was much smaller than in the presence of ATX II. Substitution of chloride with the impermeable anion methylsulphate enhances spontaneous activity and resting tension without an effect on twitch tension. Addition of ATX II elevates resting tension although the concomitant further increase in incidence of spontaneous action potentials is small. It is concluded that the increase in resting tension reflects a summation of the fibrillatory activity, but fibrillations become more effective when the preparations are exposed to ATX II. This finding points at the possible r?le of sodium ions in excitation contraction coupling of denervated skeletal muscle.     

Suppression of programmed cell death regulates the cyclical degeneration of organs in a colonial urochordate

The survival of animal tissues and organs is controlled through both activation and suppression of programmed cell death. In the colonial urochordate Botryllus schlosseri, the entire parental generation of zooids in a colony synchronously dies every week as the asexually derived generation of buds reaches functional maturity. This process, called takeover, involves massive programmed cell death (PCD) of zooid organs via apoptosis followed by programmed removal of cell corpses by blood phagocytes within approximately 1 day. We have previously reported that developing buds in conjunction with circulating phagocytes are key effectors of zooid resorption and macromolecular recycling during takeover, and as such engineer the reconstitution of a functional asexual generation every week [Lauzon, R.J., Ishizuka, K.J., Weissman, I.L., 2002. Cyclical generation and degeneration of organs in a colonial urochordate involves crosstalk between old and new: a model for development and regeneration. Dev. Biol. 249, 333-348]. Here, we demonstrate that zooid lifespan during cyclic blastogenesis is regulated by two independent signals: a bud-independent signal that activates zooid PCD and a bud-dependent, survival signal that acts in short-range fashion via the colonial vasculature. As zooids represent a transient, mass-produced commodity during Botryllus asexual development, PCD regulation in this animal via both activation and suppression enables it to remove and recycle its constituent zooids earlier when intra-colony resources are low, while maintaining the functional filter-feeding state when resources are adequate. We propose that this crosstalk mechanism between bud and parent optimizes survival of a B. schlosseri colony with each round of cyclic blastogenesis.