Uptake and release of [3H]-serotonin in photophores of the midshipman fish, Porichthys notatus

A kinetic analysis of 3H]-5-HT uptake in the photocytes of the photophores of Porichthys notatus revealed a high affinity (Km: 1.71 X 10(-7] and low affinity component (Km: 1.10 X 10(-5) M). The high affinity uptake was sodium- and potassium-dependent but largely insensitive to temperatures between 0 and 20 C. Ouabain (5 X 10(-3) M) and dinitrophenol (10(-3) M) reduced uptake significantly. DMI, imipramine and fluoxetine, in that order of potency, greatly inhibited 3H]-5-HT uptake. Noradrenaline and adrenaline reduced uptake in a non-competitive manner, while dopamine, tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan and Cypridina luciferin had little or not effect on uptake. Non-facilitated luminescent responses to electrical stimulation were accompanied by release of 3H]-5-HT accumulated in the photocytes. Facilitatory luminescence excitation consistently failed to induce the release of 3H]-5-HT. Electrical and adrenaline (10(-5) M) stimulation of photophores after 3H]-5-HT release has occurred, failed to elicit any additional luminescent response. The photophores were responsive to KCN (10(-3) M) under these conditions. The results indicate that a specific carrier-mediated transport system is responsible for photocytic 3H]-5-HT uptake, and that release of photocytic 3H]-5-HT is stringently regulated and followed by inhibition of luminescence excitability.