Summary
Elytra of the scale-worm Harmothoe imbricata were examined for the presence of monoamine-like immunoreactivities and radioautographic reactions. Serotonin (5-HT)-like immunoreactivity was widely distributed among the cellular constituents of the elytra, being present in epithelial cells including photocytes, in elytral nerves, clear cells and the loose neuronal plexus of the middle compartment. The distribution of [3H]5-HT labelling coincided with that of the immunoreactivity except for an additional reactive band extending through the upper cuticle layer. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-like immunoreactivity was detected in epithelial cells, sensory papillae and elytral ganglion and nerves, with little or no staining in clear cells and plexus neurons of the middle compartment. Radioautographic labelling with [3H]noradrenaline and [3H]adrenaline overlaid many epithelial cells, elytral nerves and sensory papillae, but not the loose neuronal plexus or, apparently, clear cells. It is concluded that monoaminergic systems are widely distributed and that they must play important roles as neuroactive and/or paracrine substances in the elytral neuroectoderm. The distribution of [3H]5-HT label in photocytes also suggests the involvement of serotonergic mechanisms in luminescence control, luminescence being the only known effector activity of elytra.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson PAV (1980) Epithelial conduction: its properties and functions. Prog Neurobiol 15:161–203
Bassot J-M (1985) Fast membrane transformation in a flashing endoplasmic reticulum. Packer L (ed) Recent advances in biological membrane studies. Plenum Publ Corp, New York, pp 259–284
Bassot J-M, Bilbaut A (1977a) Bioluminescence des élytres d'Acholoe. III. Déplacement des sites d'origine au cours des émissions. Biol Cell 28:155–162
Bassot J-M, Bilbaut A (1977b) Bioluminescence des élytres d'Acholoe. IV. Luminescence et fluorescence des photosomes. Biol Cell 28:163–168
Bilbaut A (1980a) Cell junctions in the excitable epithelium of bioluminescent scales on a polynoid worm: a freeze-fracture and electrophysiological study. J Cell Sci 41:341–368
Bilbaut A (1980b) Excitable epithelial cells in the bioluminescent scales of a polynoid worm; effects of various ions on the action potentials and on excitation-luminescence coupling. J Exp Biol 88:219–238
Bonhomme C (1942) Recherches sur l'histologie de l'appareil lumineux des Polynoinés. Bull Inst Océanogr Monaco 823:1–8
Case JF, Strause LG (1978) Neurally controlled luminescent systems. Herring PJ (ed) Bioluminescence in action. Academic Press, London New York, pp 331–366
Clark ME (1966) Histochemical localization of monoamines in the nervous system of the polychaete Nephthys. Proc R Soc Lond [Biol] 165:308–325
Dhainaut-Courtois N (1972) Etude en microscopie electronique et en fluorescence des médiateurs chimiques du système nerveux des Nereidae (Annélides Polychètes). Z Zellforsch 126:90–113
Dhainaut-Courtois N, Engelhardt R-P, Dhainaut A (1979a) Etude cytophysiologique des systèmes monoaminergiques et cholinergique des Nereis (Annélides Polychetes). I. Système nerveux péripherique et jonctions neuromusculaires. Arch Biol (Bruxelles) 90:225–244
Dhainaut-Courtois N, Engelhardt R-P, Dhainaut A (1979b) Etude cytophysiologique des systèmes monoaminergiques et cholinergique des Nereis (Annélides Polychètes). II. Système nerveux central. Arch Biol (Bruxelles) 90:273–288
Herrera AA (1979) Electrophysiology of bioluminescent excitable epithelial cells in a polynoid polychaete worm. J Comp Physiol 129:67–78
Kerkut GA, Sedden CB, Walker RJ (1967) Cellular localisation of monoamines by fluorescence microscopy in Hirudo medicinais and Lumbricus terrestris. Comp Biochem Physiol 21:687–690
Leake LD, Griffith SG, Burnstock G (1985) 5-Hydroxytryptaminelike immunoreactivity in the peripheral and central nervous systems of the leech Hirudo medicinalis. Cell Tissue Res 239:123–130
Lent CM (1982) Fluorescent properties of monoamine neurons following glyoxylic acid treatment of intact leech ganglia. Histochemistry 75:77–89
Nicol JAC (1953) Luminescence in polynoid worms. J Mar Biol Ass UK 32:65–84
Nicol JAC (1954) The nervous control of luminescent responses in polynoid worms. J Mar Biol Ass UK 33:225–255
Nicol JAC (1957) Luminescence in polynoids. II. Different modes of response in the elytra. J Mar Biol Ass UK 36:261–269
Nicolas M-T, Moreau M, Guerrier P (1978) Indirect nervous control of luminescence in the polynoid worm Harmothoe lunulata. J Exp Zool 206:427–433
Osborne NN, Patel S, Dockray G (1982) Immunohistochemical demonstration of peptides, serotonin and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-like material in the nervous system of the leech Hirudo medicinalis. Histochemistry 75:573–583
Pavans de Ceccaty M, Bassot J-M, Bilbaut A, Nicolas M-T (1977) Bioluminescence des élytres d'Acholoe. I. Morphologie des supports structuraux. Biol Cell 28:57–64
Rude S (1966) Monoamine containing neurons in the nerve cord and body wall of Lumbricus terrestris. J Comp Neurol 128:397–412
Rude S (1969) Monoamine containing neurons in the central nervous system and peripheral nerves of the leech Hirudo medicinalis. J Comp Neurol 136:349–372
Schipper J, Tilders FJH (1983) A new technique for studying specificity of immunocytochemical procedures: specificity of serotonin immunostaining. J Histochem Cytochem 31:12–18
White D, Marsden JR (1978) Microspectrofluorimetric measurements on cells containing biogenic amines in the cerebral ganglion of the polychaete Nereis virens (Sars). Biol Bull 155:395–409
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Miron, MJ., LaRivière, L., Bassot, JM. et al. Immunohistochemical and radioautographic evidence of monoamine-containing cells in bioluminescent elytra of the scale-worm Harmothoe imbricata (Polychaeta). Cell Tissue Res. 249, 547–556 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00217326
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00217326