Cyclic AMP stimulation of Cl- secretion by the opercular epithelium: the apical membrane chloride conductance

Chloride secretion (Isc) by the opercular epithelium of the teleost, Fundulus heteroclitus, is stimulated by elevations in intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) elicited by beta-adrenergic agonists, such as isoproterenol, and is accompanied by a small but significant increase in the transepithelial conductance (Gt). Cupric ions (Cu2+) have been shown to block the apical membrane Cl- channels in this epithelium, leading to a reduction in both the Isc and Gt (Degnan, '85). In the present studies, the effects of Cu2+ on cAMP-elevated and cAMP-depleted epithelia were observed to define the actions of cAMP in this stimulatory process. At a concentration of 5 X 10(-4) M in the mucosal solution, Cu2+ inhibited the Isc 79.8% and reduced the Gt 39.2%. Isoproterenol produced an attenuated stimulation of the Isc in these tissues compared to untreated controls, but had no effect on the Gt. In tissues bathed bilaterally with Cl- -free Ringer, the Isc was virtually abolished and the Gt was reduced 37.0%; neither Cu2+ nor isoproterenol had any effects on the Isc or Gt under this condition. Simultaneous 2 2Na and 3 6 Cl unidirectional flux determinations indicated that the only effects of both isoproterenol and Cu2+ were on the active Cl- secretory flux. An inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, 2',5' dideoxyadenosine (DDA), reduced the Isc and Gt 39.8% and 20.8% respectively. This inhibitor had no additional effects in Cu2+ -treated tissues and the action of Cu2+ on the Gt was reduced in DDA-treated tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chloride transport inhibition by various types of loop diuretics in fish opercular epithelium

Isolated opercular epithelia of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus), mounted in an Ussing chamber, were used to study the effects of various diuretics on chloride transport, measured as short-circuit current (SCC). The acidic 'loop' diuretics, ethacrynic acid and azosemide, and the basic 'loop' diuretics, muzolimine and MK 447, reduced SCC and exhibited similar dose-effect curves, with EC50s for SCC of 64, 17, greater than 500 and 224 microM, respectively. The alkaline diuretic tizolemide (HOE 740) and the p-COOH-analogue of sulphanilamide were inactive, suggesting that the chloruretic effects of these agents are of a thiazide type. The method can thus discriminate between the effects of loop and thiazide types of diuretics, but not between those of structurally highly different 'loop' diuretics of an acidic and basic nature. Monomethylation of the SO2NH2 group of bumetanide had no effect on the activity of this agent whereas dimethylation reduced it fourfold. The (-)enantiomers of the 'loop' diuretics indacrinone and ozolinone were four and greater than 100 times more active, respectively, than the (+)forms. These results are in accordance with those obtained for the same drugs in the mammalian kidney, and point to the presence of a highly specific binding site for these diuretics. Attempts were also made to explore the prerequisites for binding of the loop diuretic to the active site. Pretreatment of the opercular epithelium with an alpha-L-fucose-binding lectin did not prevent the inhibitory actions of furosemide and indacrinone. Probenecid and (+)ozolinone, both of which block organic anion transport, did not prevent the effects of bumetanide and (-)ozolinone.

The role of K+ and Cl- conductances in chloride secretion by the opercular epithelium

The opercular epithelium of the teleost Fundulus heteroclitus, when mounted in a lucite chamber under short-circuited conditions, secretes Cl- at a rate equivalent to the short-circuit current (Isc). The transepithelial Na+ movements are passive and proceed by a paracellular pathway. The addition of 2 X 10(-3) M Ba2+ to the serosal bathing solution inhibited the Isc 76.8% with no effect on the transepithelial conductance (Gt). The addition of 5 X 10(-4) M Cu2+ to the mucosal bathing solution inhibited the Isc 79.6% and reduced the Gt 35.6%. These inhibitory effects of Ba2+ and Cu2+ on the Isc were initiated within 1 minute after exposure with maximum effects occurring within 20 and 30 minutes, respectively. Simultaneous 36Cl- and 22Na+ unidirectional fluxes were performed on paired epithelia from the same fish. Serosal Ba2+ and mucosal Cu2+ inhibited the Cl- secretory flux 30.2 and 58.9%, respectively. The resulting net Cl- flux after inhibition was not significantly different from the mean measured Isc. Neither ion had significant effects on the Cl- influx (mucosa to serosa) or the unidirectional Na fluxes. These results indicated that the effects of both Ba2+ and Cu2+ were most likely exclusive to the transcellular Cl- pathway. Ba2+ is proposed to inhibit Cl- secretion by blocking the basolateral K+ channels, depolarizing the cell, and reducing the electrochemical driving force for Cl- across the apical membrane. Cu2+ is proposed to inhibit Cl- secretion by blocking the apical membrane Cl- channels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The use of isolated fish opercular epithelium as a model tissue for studying intrinsic activities of loop diuretics

Isolated opercular epithelia of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) were mounted in an Ussing chamber. The epithelia displayed a transepithelial electrical potential difference (PD) of 10.6 +/- 0.3 mV (sea-water side negative) and a short-circuit current (SCC) of 72.1 +/- 2.1 microA cm-2. The electrical resistance was 160 +/- 3 omega cm2 (mean +/- SE, n = 269). The unidirectional flux of 36Cl from blood side to sea-water side compared well with the SCC. No net flux of 22Na or 24Na across the epithelium was observed. Raising of cyclic AMP levels by theophylline, 3-isobutyl-I-methyl-xanthine, isoprenaline and forskolin, increased SCC and PD. Prostaglandins PGE2 and to some extent PGF2 alpha inhibited SCC and PD. Inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase by ouabain and orthovanadate reduced SCC and PD. Pretreatment of the epithelium with the stilbene disulphonic acid (DIDS) did not prevent the action of orthovanadate. Different types of diuretics were tested, but only the loop diuretics bumetanide, piretanide, and furosemide, rapidly and strongly inhibited PD and SCC and unidirectional 36Cl serosal to mucosal flux. Dose-response curves for these agents were parallel and EC50 values for effects on SCC were 40, 52, and 295 microM, respectively. The same relative activities of these diuretics have been seen in the renal thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TALH). It is concluded that the killifish opercular skin responds to hormonal stimuli and various pharmacological agents in a manner similar to that of mammalian renal TALH. It should therefore be a useful model for studies of the modes of action and the structure-activity relationships of diuretics which act by inhibition of chloride transport or Na+-K+-ATPase activity.

Energy requirements for pigment aggregation in fundulus melanophores

Teleost chromatophores are filled with individual pigment granules that rapidly aggregate to the cell center or become dispersed throughout the cytoplasm in response to environmental stimuli. Microtubules appear to be required for pigment aggregation (movement toward the cell center), and recent findings have suggested that a dynein-like ATPase may participate in force production. Based on previous studies, however, it has been argued that pigment aggregation does not require energy directly, a view that supports the involvement of an elastic component in granule movement. To examine this point further, we have reinvestigated the energy requirements for pigment aggregation using both intact cells and detergent-permeabilized cell models of Fundulus melanophores. Poisons of oxidative phosphorylation, namely, 2,4 dinitrophenol and NaCN, reversibly inhibit melanosome aggregation in response to adrenaline. Inhibition of movement results directly from depletion of intracellular ATP, since pigment translocation can be reactivated in permeabilized cells by the addition of exogenous ATP to the lysis buffer. Non-hydrolyzable analogues, including beta, gamma-imidoadenosine-5'-triphosphate (AMPPNP), beta, gamma-methylene adenosine-5'-triphosphate (AMPPCP), and ATP gamma S, will not substitute for ATP in reactivation of movement. Similarly, other nucleotides such as ADP, AMP, GTP, CTP, and ITP, have limited ability to support melanosome aggregation in metabolically poisoned cells subjected to detergent lysis. ATP itself has no effect on intact cells. These results indicate that melanosome aggregation is ATP-dependent and energy-driven, and are consistent with a role for a force-transducing ATPase in particle movement.

Aging changes in lymphopoietic and myelopoietic organs of the annual cyprinodont fish, Nothobranchius guentheri

The thymus of aging annual, cyprinodont fish, Nothobranchius guentheri and Cynolebias adloffi begins to undergo senescent changes at approximately four months. At this time, the histopathology reveals increased amounts of connective tissue, epithelial cysts and myoid cells, but decreased numbers of thymocytes. At 12 months, of the 50 fish observed at 10 stages from day 15 and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 months the maximum time of senescence, there was an increased incidence of tumors in the oral cavity, connective tissue, kidney and liver in all 5 fish. At least in the kidney, the malignant transformation was classified as nodular-type histiocytic lymphoma. It is of interest that development of these tumors occurs during peak senescent changes in the thymus, supporting the view that as fish age, accompanied by atrophy of the thymus, the immune system is less vigorous and there is an increase in the incidence of cancer.

Pigment particle translocation in detergent-permeabilized melanophores of Fundulus heteroclitus

Melanophore preparations of Fundulus heteroclitus that have been treated with the detergent Brij 58 can aggregate their pigment in response to epinephrine. On the basis of several criteria, it appears that cell lysis occurs under the detergent conditions used. Electron microscopic examination of detergent-treated cells shows progressive disruption of the melanophore plasma membrane during the time in which pigment aggregation occurs. Brij-treated cells are accessible to ferritin, a large electron-dense probe that is effectively excluded from non-detergent-treated controls. In cells incubated with detergent, fixed, and treated first with rat monoclonal antibodies against tubulin and then with fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled goat anti-rat IgG, a characteristic radical pattern of microtubule staining can be visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Control preparations treated similarly, but without detergent, do not stain. Vanadate, an inhibitor of ciliary and flagellar dynein ATPase, blocks melanosome aggregation in response to epinephrine in detergent-treated preparations but has no effect on intact melanophores. erythro-9-[3-(2-hydroxynonyl)]Adenine, another inhibitor of dynein ATPase, also inhibits pigment aggregation in Fundulus melanophores. The possibility that a dynein-like molecule plays a role in pigment aggregation is discussed.

A new and unusual eimerian (protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the liver of the Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis

Oocysts and sporocysts of Eimeria funduli sp. n. are described from the Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, on the basis of light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron miscroscopy, and location in the liver of infected hosts. The spherical sporulated oocysts of E. funduli isolated from liver tissue measure 20-31 (25) micrometer across with ovoid sporocysts 9-11 X 5-7 (10 X 6) micrometer. A micropyle, polar granule, and oocyst residuum are absent, but sporocysts have Stieda and substieda bodies, a few residual granules, and 10-25 (15) unique projecting structures with expanded distal portions that we term "sporopodia". Sporopodia 1-3 (2) micrometer high support a transparent membrane that completely surrounds the sporocyst. Sporozoites have one large posterior refractile body. Ultrastructurally, the oocyst wall consists of two thin layers of granular material: an electron-dense outer layer with a rough external surface and an electron-lucent inner one of approximately equal thickness. One or two unit membranes line the inner surface of the inner layer. Each layer is 40-60 (55) nm thick. The sporocyst wall, 78-130 (110) nm thick, consists of an electron-lucent material with the outer surface being more electron dense and giving rise to osmiophilic sporopodia; closely associated with these and the outer surface are one or two unit membranes. A thin osmiophilic layer of fine granular material lines the inner surface.

The effects of lumicolchicine, colchicine and vinblastine on pigment migration in fish chromatophores

The effects of lumicolchicine, colchicine, vinblastine and cold temperature on the pigment migration in melanophores and xanthophores of Fundulus heteroclitus and Oryzias latipes were examined by light and electron microscopy. Xanthophores of both species which contain numerous microfilaments and a poorly developed microtubule system were extremely sensitive to the alkaloids. Lumicolchicine and colchicine induced irreversible dispersion while vinblastine caused permanent aggregation of the pigments. Treatment in lumicolchicine or colchicine at 5 mM for 60 minutes did not disrupt microtubules of melanophores to an appreciable degree, however, melanosome aggregation was partially inhibited by these drug in Oryzias. When melanophores were kept in the cold in the presence of colchicine at 1 mM, almost all microtubules were disrupted and their repolymerization at room temperature was nearly completely inhibited by colchicine. These melanophores lacking in microtubules responded to epinephrine with slow aggregation. Vinblastine at 0.1 mM induced partial aggregation of melanosomes and disruption of microtubules but most melanophores were still able to respond with pigment migration. Vinblastine at 1 mM made all melanophores punctate and immobile. Large vinblastine-induced crystals were frequently seen in the dendritic processes. The results of the present investigation suggest that cytoplasmic microtubules in fish melanophores facilitate melanosome migration only in directional orientation and appear not be responsible for the motive force.

Behavioral analyses of killifish exposed to weightlessness in the Apollo-Soyuz test project

Two groups of killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, which were flown aboard Apollo-Soyuz, were subjected to postflight behavioral testing. The first group examined consisted of a graded series of embryos representing key developmental stages at orbital insertion (32-h, 66-h, and 128-h stages; pre-liftoff fertilization times). The tests revealed that the young adults from the flight 32-h stage had a significantly decreased positive geotaxis and increased negative phototaxis when compared with ground controls. These findings suggested a greater sensitization of the least-developed flight stage to post-hatching environmental influences. The second group consisted of 21-d old juveniles which were subjected to light orientation tests soon after recovery. No significant differences were detected.

Some clues as to the formation of protrusions by Fundulus deep cells

One of the ways in which Fundulus deep cells move in vivo is by putting out long, fingerlike protrusions. This involves a change in the shape of the cell as a whole, with cytoplasmic flow, and is not just a local phenomenon. Moreover, particles on the cell surface move toward a protrusion as it is forming, suggesting surface flow. The role of surface flow is discussed both on a grown level and in respect to molecular fluidity. Long, stable protrusions can be pulled from cells by the application of negative pressure at a constant rate and these behave in a similar way to those formed during cell locomotion. Such long protrusions must be structured. The importance of contractile properties of the cytoplasm in the formation of protrusions was studied by treating cells with media that modify cellular contractility.

Streptomyces novoguineensis sp. Nov., an amipurimycin producer, and antimicrobial activity of amipurimycin

A taxonomic study of Streptomyces strain T-36496, which produces an antibiotic effective against rice blast, revealed that it represented a new taxon and it was named Streptomyces novoguineensis sp. nov. The antibiotic, which was named amipurimycin, showed antifungal activity in vitro and considerable curative effect onleaf blast both in green house and field tests at concentrations ranging from 10 to 20 ppm. It was also effective against neck and panicle blast at the same concentration range.

Retention of Salmonella typhimurium by certain species of fish and shrimp

Marine fish (Mugil cephalus, Fundulus heteroclitus, Trachinotus carolinus), lake shrimp (Penaeus setiferus), and channel catfish (Ictalurus lacustris punctatus) were exposed to Salmonella typhimurium and cultured after 2 hours and at daily intervals for 30 days. Salmonella typhimurium was recovered from all exposed animals after 2 hours and for 30 days in all animals except P setifurus. The organisms could not be recovered from those shrimp after the initial sampling period. Apparent salmonellosis developed in certain specimens of M cephalus and T carolinus 10 to 14 days after exposure to S typhimurium.