The role of phospholipase A2 in calcium-induced damage in cardiac and skeletal muscle

Summary This study compares the action of inhibitors of the eicosanoid cascade on calcium-induced myofilament damage in cardiac muscle of the perfused frog heart and incubated frog ventricle slices, and in skeletal muscle of incubated mammalian diaphragm and isolated and saponin-skinned amphibian pectoris cutaneous muscle. Mepacrine (10^-5M) and indomethacin (3×10^-6M) protected completely against myofilament damage induced by entry of calcium in the calcium-paradox in frog heart. However, inhibition of phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) (with chlorpromazine, 2×10^-4M, or mepacrine, 10^-5M, 5x10^-5M), of cyclo-oxygenase enzymes (with indomethacin, 3x10^-6M to 10^-5M or BW755C, 3.8x10^-4M), or of lipoxygenase enzymes (with BW755C, 3.8x10^-4M or nordihydroguaiaretic acid, 2x10^-6M or 5x10^-6M) all failed in intact cardiac or skeletal muscle cells to prevent the myofilament damage that is rapidly triggered by 10^-2M caffeine, 6x10^-6M ruthenium red, 10^-4M DNP or 5 g ml^-1 A23187. These agents also failed completely to protect against myofilament damage in saponin-skinned amphibian skeletal muscle when [Ca]_i was raised to 8x10^-6M. Thus, inhibition of PLA₂ does not protect the myofilament apparatus against calcium released intracellularly, and it is suggested that mepacrine and indomethacin can block entry of calcium in the calcium-paradox in the amphibian heart. Chlorpromazine (2x10^-4M) and mepacrine (10^-3M) at zero [Ca] caused severe myofilament damage in skinned muscle, possibly due to an effect on membranes. Since inhibitors of PLA₂ and of lipoxygenases prevent efflux of creatine kinase and sarcolemma damage in mammalian skeletal muscle, it is evident that experimentally-induced rises in [Ca]_i (by caffeine or A23187) can trigger two separate pathways: (i) PLA₂ and the arachidonic acid cascade which culminate in membrane damage, and (ii) a different, Ca-activated system that causes rapid damage of myofilaments.     

The relationship among egg size,density and food level on larval development in the wood frog (Rana sylvatica)

Summary Although inter- and intraspecific variation in egg size among amphibians has been well documented, the relationship between egg size and fitness remains unclear. Recent attempts to correlate egg size intraspecifically with larval developmental patterns have been equivocal. In this study the development of larvae derived from large eggs and small eggs, from a single population in Maryland were compared under a range of food levels and larval population densities. Both food level and density had significant effects on the length of the larval period and size at metamorphosis. However, the response among larvae derived from different egg sizes was not additive. At low densities and high food levels, larvae from small eggs had longer larval periods and a larger size at metamorphosis than larvae derived from large eggs. In contrast, at high densities larvae from small eggs had longer developmental periods but were smaller at metamorphosis than larvae from large eggs. In addition, larvae from small eggs were more sensitive to density irrespective of food level. These results suggest that optimal egg size is correlated with environmental factors, which may explain the maintenance of both geographic and within population variation in egg size commonly observed in amphibians.     

Ontogeny of substance P-, CGRP-, and VIP-containing nerve fibers in the amphibian carotid labyrinth of the bullfrog,Rana catesbeiana

Summary The ontogeny of substance P, CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide), and VIP (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide) containing nerve fibers in the carotid labyrinth of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, was examined by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The time of appearance of these three peptides was different for each. First, CGRP fibers appeared in the wall of the carotid arch and external carotid arteries, and in a thin septum between these two arteries at an early stage of larval development (stage III). At stage V, substance P immunoreactive fibers appeared, and VIP fibers were detected at the early metamorphic stage (stage XXII). Up to the completion of metamorphosis, the number of these fibers remained low. From 1 to 5 weeks after metamorphosis, substance P, CGRP, and VIP fibers increased in number to varying degrees. By 8 weeks after metamorphosis, the distribution and abundance of these fibers closely resembled those of the adults. Some CGRP and VIP immunoreactive glomus cells were found at the stages immediately before and after the completion of metamorphosis. These findings suggest that substance P, CGRP, and VIP fibers during larval development and metamorphosis may be nonfunctional, and start to participate in vascular regulation only after metamorphosis. The transient CGRP and VIP in some glomus cells may be important for the development of the labyrinth, or may take part in vascular regulation through the close apposition of the glomus and smooth muscle cells (g-s connection).     

Genetic variation in relation to demography of peripheral pool frog populations (Rana lessonae)

Summary Genetic variation in an isolated northern metapopulation of the pool frog (Rana lessonae) in Sweden was compared to that of Central European populations using enzyme electrophoresis and literature data. Of the 31 loci scored, two (EST-2 andIDH-2) were polymorphic while no variation occurred in seven of the eight loci which are polymorphic in Central European populations.The heterozygosity level of the Swedish pool frogs is very low compared to that of other anuran populations, but their mean proportion of fertilized eggs within egg masses (97.5%) was not lower than in more heterozygous species, and their body size-specific fecundity did not differ from that of Polish conspecifics. The low genetic variability of the Swedish pool frogs is discussed in relation to features of the local populations such as size (N), calculated effective size (N _e ) reproductive success and probable history. It is concluded that long-term strong fluctuations in population size caused by reporductive failure in cold years have contributed more to the low genetic variability than could a single founder event due to a recent introduction by man.     

Organization of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the di-and mesencephalon of the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) during metamorphosis

Summary We examined the immunocytochemical distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis, in the di-and mesencephalon of developing bullfrog tadpoles. Special attention was given to catecholaminergic innervation of the median eminence and pituitary. In premetamorphic tadpoles, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons were visualized in the suprachiasmatic and infundibular hypothalamus, the ventral thalamus, and midbrain tegmentum by Taylor-Kollros stage V. The number of labeled neurons in all these areas increased as metamorphosis progressed. By mid-prometamorphosis, labeled neurons appeared in the preoptic recess organ as well as in the posterior thalamic nucleus. The majority of cells in the preoptic recess organ, as well as occasional neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, exhibited labeled processes which projected through the ependymal lining of the preoptic recess to contact cerebrospinal fluid. The modified CSF-contacting neurons of the nucleus of the periventricular organ were devoid of specific staining. By late prometamorphosis, labeled fibers from the suprachiasmatic nucleus were observed projecting caudally to enter the hypothalamo-hypophysial-tract en route to innervating the median eminence and pituitary. Labeled fibers arising from the dorsal infundibular nucleus projected ventrolaterally to contribute to catecholaminergic innervation of the median eminence and pituitary. Immunoperoxidase staining of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive fibers and terminal arborizations in the median eminence were restricted to non-ependymal layers, while labeled fibers in the pituitary were observed in the pars intermedia and pars nervosa. Staining of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive fibers in the median eminence and pituitary was sparse or absent in premetamorphic tadpoles, but became increasingly more intense as metamorphosis progressed.     

用三维图象量测卵裂前蛙卵膜分子的三维运动

两栖类卵第一次卵裂前,缩时电影显示出卵表面有收缩波。由于卵的体积未变,在收缩时卵的高度必然增加。Sawai(1978)利用棱镜侧面摄取了蝾螈卵轮廓的高度变化,证实了卵裂前卵最高处的高度确有增加。但这一方法不能测知整个卵表面各处的高度变化,而且仅是二维的。在林蛙卵上,我们用荧光漂白恢复技术发现第一次卵裂前卵表面分子有规律性的流动,推测这是卵球的张弛。为了进一步     

蛙卵黄粒晶形区向非晶区过渡的电镜观察及伪彩色图象处理

用水溶性氨基树脂作为电镜标本包埋介质包埋早期卵裂时的黑龙江林蛙卵;用透射电镜观察了卵黄粒晶形体向非晶区转变的过程;一部分电镜照片用伪彩色图象处理技术转换成彩色照片以提高其清晰度。晶形体向非晶结构转化主要有两种形式:1.沿晶形体表面成排地脱落晶分子并在晶形体表面形成台阶样结构;2.晶分子参差不齐地成群脱离晶形体并在晶形区与非晶区之间形成一个似晶非晶的过渡区。脱离晶形体后的晶分子参加到非晶区,使深色亚区扩大并在其中酝酿成“微滴”样结构。若干“微滴”汇合并转变成微泡。伪彩色图象处理能较清楚地显示出卵脂蛋白半分子(一个亚单位)独立脱离晶形体的现象。讨论了引起晶分子脱离晶形体的可能??原因。     

The hypothalamo-hypophysial system of the frog Rana temporaria

Summary The median eminence (ME) of the adult frog, Rana temporaria, was studied by means of electron microscopy including quantitative electron-microscopic autoradiography. In frogs captured in May and June numerous peptidergic neurosecretory fibres extending via the internal zone to the pars nervosa display large swellings containing few granules, mitochondria, neurotubules and cisternae of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, few secretory globules up to 1.5 m in diameter occur in these varicosities. In animals collected during the autumn period many of these neurosecretory swellings filled with neurosecretory granules and polymorphic inclusions resemble Herring bodies. Three types of granule-containing neurosecretory fibres were observed in the external zone (EZ) of the ME of adult R. temporaria. Peptidergic A₁- and A₂-type fibres are characterized by granules 150–220 nm and 100–160 nm in diameter, respectively. Monoaminergic fibres of type B with granules approximately 100 nm in diameter represent 50% of all neurosecretory elements in the EZ of the frog ME; 12% of the total number of granule-bearing axons in the EZ actively taking up radiolabelled 5-hydroxytryptophan are thought to be serotoninergic terminals. Neurosecretory terminals of all types and glial vascular endfeet establish direct contacts with the perivascular space of the primary portal capillaries. Some neurosecretory terminals are separated from the lumen of the third ventricle by a thin cytoplasmic lamella of tanycytes. The possible physiological significance of this structural pattern is discussed.     

Regional specificity of anuran larval skin during metamorphosis: dermal specificity in development and histolysis of recombined skin grafts

Summary Skins from back and tail were dissected from tadpoles of Rana japonica prior to resorption of the tail and separated into epidermis and dermis by treatment with neutral protease. Homotypically and heterotypically recombined skins were constructed from the separated epidermis and dermis and transplanted into the tail of the original tadpole. Skin grafts using dermis from tail region degenerated simultaneously with resorption of the tail. However, skin grafts containing dermis from back region survived on the posterior part of the juvenile frog beyond metamorphosis. Furthermore, all epidermis underlaid with dermis from back region formed secretory glands and became flattened epithelia characteristic of adult back skin, regardless of region from which the epidermis came. Even when epidermis isolated from tail skin was cultured inside a back skin graft, the tail epidermis survived forming an epithelial cyst and developed secretory glands. These results suggest that regional specificities of anuran larval skin, i.e., development of back skin and even histolysis of tail skin, are determined by regionally specific dermis. The results also suggest that some of epidermal cells of tail skin are able to differentiate into epithelial cells similar to back skin of the adult under the influence of back dermis.     

“SIF” cells in the sympathetic ganglia of the bullfrog,Rana catesbeiana: variety in population and innervation

Summary Small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells appeared singly or, more frequently, in variably-sized clusters in the sacroccygeal 8th and 9th sympathetic ganglia of the bullfrog. Smaller clusters containing only two to nine SIF cells accounted for 61% of 1773 clusters examined. The largest cluster contained 283 cells. The number of cells in individual ganglia also varied from 21 to 3332. SIF cells, solitary as well as in smaller clusters, received no distinct form of the synaptic contact. In contrast, the cells in larger clusters were frequently innervated by nerve endings that were similar in vesicular constitution to the nerve endings on principal ganglion (PG) cells. No synaptic contact was found between SIF cells and PG cells. SIF cells were also characterized by their location in the vicinity of blood capillaries with a continuous endothelium. p]Our observation seems to suggest that larger clusters of SIF cells receiving nerve endings are linked to a paracrine and/or endocrine system. Chemical influence via the blood stream and intraganglionic milieu for non-innervated SIF cells in the solitary or smaller clusters is a subject for speculation. An interneuronal role of SIF cells to relay stimuli to PG cells seems unlikely. The possible functions here assigned to SIF cells could be variable in efficiency depending on their population and density.