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Pharmacomorphological study of denervation induced by 6-hydroxydopamine in Porichthys photophores

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Summary

The effects of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on the bioluminescent response of Porichthys photophores were investigated as part of a pharmacological study of the neural control of luminescence in this fish. Subcutaneous injections of 6-OHDA induce a luminescent response similar to that of norepinephrine (NE), suggesting a sympathomimetic action. The luminescent response to electrical stimulation is almost completely and irreversibly abolished within 24 hours following low-dose treatment of the photophores with 6-OHDA, while the sensitivity of these organs to exogenous NE is increased significantly over the few days post-treatment. During this period the photophores continuously emitted a steady low-level glow. Electronmicroscopic studies of such photophores revealed progressive destruction of the nerve endings. Photophore luminescent sensitivity to NE subsequently became sub-normal, and at this stage electron microscopy revealed an increasingly larger number of damaged photocytes, supportive cells and, in one case, lens cells. From these results it is suggested that 6-OHDA initially impairs neuro-photocyte transmission by destroying catecholaminergic nerve endings. In turn, the transmitter reuptake mechanism is also impaired, thus accounting for development of supersensitive responses to exogenous NE. Subnormal luminescent responses to NE appear as a result of loss of photocyte competence due to structural deterioration. The latter are interpreted as the consequence of removal of trophic factors supplied by the photophore adrenergic innervation.

Suppression of luminescent response to both electrical stimulation and exogenous NE in photophores treated with higher doses of 6-OHDA, may be due to a direct effect of this drug on the receptor sites of the photocytes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA

    Michel Anctil &  James F. Case

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  1. Michel Anctil
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  2. James F. Case
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We are indebted to Dr. Steven Fisher for use of the facilities of his laboratory, to Mr. Kenneth Linberg for assistance with electron microscopy, and to Drs. J.A.C. Nicol, Fernand Baguet, and A.T. Barnes for criticizing the manuscript. This work was supported by U.S. Office of Naval Research contract NO0014-75-C-0242 and University of California Faculty Research Funds.

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Anctil, M., Case, J.F. Pharmacomorphological study of denervation induced by 6-hydroxydopamine in Porichthys photophores. Cell Tissue Res. 166, 365–388 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220132

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220132

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