Stimulation and recording from single cells in whole animal preparations ofAplysia

Résumé Nous avons introduit des microélectrodes dans les neurones des ganglions pédieux et pleural de l'Aplysie suspendue d'une manière qui permettait des mouvements limités. Les stimulations physiologiques agissant sur des neurones pédieux sont plus simples que celles qui excitent les neurones pleuraux. La stimulation intracellulaire montre que certains neurones pédieux opèrent comme des «motor-neurones», tandis que les neurones pleuraux (la cellule géante de gauche (LGC) comprise) présentent un comportement complexe.     

Pigment formation from tyrosine derivatives by UV-irradiation in thin-layer chromatography

Zusammenfassung Nach Bestrahlung mit UV- und ge-, wöhnlichem Licht entstehen in Dünnschichtchromatogrammen von Tyrosin, Thyronin und ihren Jodderivaten wie auch Dopa und Dopamin dunkle Flecken an den entsprechenden Stellen dieser Substanzen. UV-Licht ist für das Auftreten der Pigmente verantwortlich, welche melaninähnliche Polymere zu sein scheinen.     

Distribution ofγ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the ganglia ofAplysia kurodai

Summary The concentration of GABA was determined in each ganglion ofAplysia kurodai by microassay. Highest concentration was observed in buccal ganglia.The authors are indebted to Miss C. Shimada for her skillful assistance and are also grateful to Dr. H. Koike in our institute for his advice to handleAplysia, to Dr. S. Ameniya, Misaki Marine Biology Station, University of Tokyo, for his support to get the animals.     

Ionic mechanisms of opposite synaptic actions of an interneuron in the abdominal ganglion ofAplysia

Zusammenfassung Im Abdominalganglion vonAplysia erzeugt ein einzelnes Interneuron monosynaptische Cl abhängige IPSP's in einigen postsynaptischen Neuronen und monosynaptische Na-abhängige EPSP's in anderen Neuronen. Iontophoretisch appliziertes Acetylcholin ahmt diese synaptischen Potentialen in jedem der nachgeschalteten Zelltypen nach.

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The author is indebted to Dr. E.Kandel for his help and the support of his USPHS grant No. NB-05980-05. JEB supported by USPHS Training Grant No. MHO8638 through the Department of Psychiatry, NYU Medical School.     

Chronic sensory denervation reduces thrombin-stimulated endothelin release from aortic endothelial cells

The long-term (trophic) influence of perivascular nerves on the endothelium was investigated by measuring changes in thrombin-stimulated release of the potent vasoconstrictor, endothelin, after selective chronic denervation. Rat pups were treated with either guanethidine or capsaicin to destroy sympathetic or sensory nerves, respectively. The abdominal aortas from the rats at three months of age (5 pooled per experiment) were incubated with 4U thrombin/ml in medium for 24 h at 37°C, and the amount of endothelin released from the preparation determined by immunoassay. After neonatal sensory denervation there was a significant reduction in the thrombinstimulated release of endothelin compared to the controls (0.012±0.012 (4) compared to 0.063±0.012 (6), pmol/cm²/24 h, p<0.02). There was no change in endothelin release after sympathetic denervation. In summary, sensory nerves play a trophic role in the expression of endothelin in endothelial cells of the intima.     

On the origin of the protein yolk in the oocytes ofAplysia depilans (Gastropoda,Opistobranchia)

Summary In the oocytes ofAplysia depilans it has been observed electronmicroscopically that gemmae or daughter-nucleoli separate from the nucleolus. These gemmae after having overcome the nuclear membrane, would aggregate together, even after transformation, into yolk globules. These observations seem to give plausibility to the hypothesis that there is a close relationship between production of ribonucleoproteic material by the nucleolus and yolk production.     

Enzymic formation of serotonin in mammalian blood platelets and red cells

Zusammenfassung Throbozyten aus Menschen- und Rinderblut enthalten eine hohe Aktivität an 5-Hydroxy-tryptophan-Decarboxylase und für diese enzymatische Reaktion scheint Pyridoxalphosphat als Cofaktor eine Rolle zu spielen.     

Postembryonic sensory axon guidance in Drosophila

The peripheral sensory system of the Drosophila adult has been used for the genetic analysis of axon guidance because of its accessibility for experimental manipulation and mutant screens. Wing, leg, antenna, or eye sensory axons are able to pathfind normally under different perturbations, indicating that sensory axon guidance is a highly canalized process. Similarly to other model systems, sensory growth cones seem to use multiple, simultaneous cues for guidance. In addition, sensory axons from peripheral structures seem to be capable of using alternative substrates for pathfinding. Developmental regulation could account for the high stability of axon guidance under experimental and natural perturbation conditions. Despite this flexibility, functional characterization of genes involved in sensory axon guidance is being carried out in situations where there appears to be less system redundancy.     

Pigment granules in choroidal melanophores of the albino goldfish

Summary Pigment granules in choroidal melanophores of the albino goldfish contained fine particulate materials which were in various degrees aggregated in clumps. Tyrosinase was considered to be present in an inhibited state in these pigment granules.Supported by the Ministry of Education of Japan Research grant No. 234046.     

Pigment distribution in cyanobacteria: An in vivo microspectroscopic investigation

Summary In vivo microspectroscopy represents an effective and reliable technique to study pigment composition and distribution. In contrast to traditional extractive techniques, it preserves the integrity of biological specimens, without modifying the nature of the pigments. The spectroscopic apparatus we used is very simple and consists of a common microscope equipped with a monochromator, a photomultiplier, and two pinhole diaphragms. Absorption spectra obtained by means of this apparatus on different species of cyanobacteria are presented.     

Rosette formation of tumor cells with concanavalin A treated erythrocytes

Summary Trypsinized human erythrocytes were incubated with concanavalin A at 4°C. After removal of free concanavalin A, the erythrocytes were incubated with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells at 37°C. The erythrocytes formed rosettes with the tumor cells.