Adenosine triphosphatases in electroreceptor organs (ampullary organs and mormyromasts) of Gnathonemus petersii Mormyridae

Ultrastructural distribution of calcium in cutaneous electroreceptor organs of teleost fish

The calcium distribution in the ampullary electroreceptor and the type B electroreceptor organ (gymnarchomast) of Gymnarchus niloticus (Glymnarchidae) and in the tuberous organ of Apteronotus leptorhynchus (gymnotidae) was studied. Endogenous calcium appeared as electron-dense precipitates when the cutaneous organs were pre-fixed with phosphate-buffered glutaraldehyde and postfixed with osmium tetroxide plus potassium bichromate. Calcium precipitates were localized in both intracellular compartments of sensory cells, and afferent nerve fibers. In contrast to sensory cells, small amounts of calcium precipitates were found in the cytoplasm of accessory cells. In sensory cells, electron-dense deposits were apparent mainly in synaptic vesicles near synaptic ribbons, inside vacuoles of the endoplasmic reticulum, and between the layers of the nuclear membrane. Very few deposits were found in mitochondria. Precipitates were also observed within the axons of afferent nerves and between the layers of the myelin sheath. The synaptic cleft was devoid of calcium. Calcium deposits have a specific cellular distribution in electroreceptor organs of teleost fish.

Distribution patterns of the paraneuronal endocrine cells in the skin, gills and the airways of fishes as determined by immunohistochemical and histological methods

The neuro-endocrine cells of fish skin and respiratory surfaces, and their bioactive secretion as far as is known, are reviewed, and compared with similar elements in tetrapods, particularly amphibians. In the skin of teleost fish, immunohistochemistry has shown that Merkel cells react for serotonin, neuron-specific enolase and enkephalins. The pharmacology is not established in dipnoans or lampreys. In some teleosts, neuromasts react for substance P and leu-enkephalins; substance P is also reported from some ampullary organs (electroreceptors). Taste buds of teleosts may react for enkephalin and substance P. Basal cells of taste buds react for serotonin and neuron-specific enolase. Some unicellular skin glands of teleosts express bioactive compounds, including serotonin and some peptides; this ectopic expression is paralleled in amphibian skin glands. The dipnoan Protopterus has innervated pulmonary neuro-endocrine cells in the pneumatic duct region with dense-cored vesicles. In Polypterus and Amia the lungs have serotonin-positive neuro-endocrine cells that are apparently not innervated. In fish gills, a closed type of neuro-endocrine cell reacts for serotonin, an open type for enkephalins and some calcium-binding proteins (calbindin, calmodulin and S-100 protein). The functions of neuro-endocrine cells in fishes await investigation, but it is assumed they are regulatory.

The cytochemical demonstration of NaK dependent adenosine triphosphatase at electrocyte level in Eigenmannia virescens (Gymnotidae)

ATPase activity (E.C. 3.6.1.3.) has been studied by electron microscopy with the help of several cytochemical techniques on Eigenmannia virescens electrocytes. Incubation was carried out with in two different media containing paranitrophenyl phosphate (p-NPP) or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as substrate. With p-NPP the phosphate freed is captured at alkaline pH, either by strontium chloride or by lead citrate. With ATP the phosphate freed is captured at a pH close to neutrality by the lead nitrate. NaK ATPase activity was only demonstrated with the medium containing ATP; the positive results obtained with this technique were sensitive to ouabain. The enzyme is situated both on the membrane of the posterior face which is innervated and on that of the anterior face of the electrocytes. The cytoplasm of the anterior face is occupied by a strong concentration of tubules on whose membranes the enzyme is also present. The localisation of the enzyme on the tubules can explain biochemical results which indicate that 70% of the total NaK ATPase of the electrolytes is situated at the level of the anterior face.