DOCSLIB.ORG

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Oil, Chemical Dispersant, and Dispersed Oil on the Ctenophore Mnemiopsis Leidyi

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Oil, Chemical Dispersant, and Dispersed Oil on the Ctenophore Mnemiopsis Leidyi Vol. 23: 237–250, 2015 AQUATIC BIOLOGY Published online April 1 doi: 10.3354/ab00625 Aquat Biol OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS Lethal and sublethal effects of oil, chemical dispersant, and dispersed oil on the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi Ryan F. Peiffer, Jonathan H. Cohen* College of Earth, Ocean, and the Environment, School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958, USA ABSTRACT: We established the lethal levels for water-accommodated fractions of Corexit® 9500A chemical dispersant, crude oil (WAF), and dispersed crude oil (CEWAF) for the ctenophore Mne- miopsis leidyi at both 15 and 23°C. This gelatinous zooplankter was sensitive to dispersant at both temperatures, as well as to oil solutions, with some increase in toxicity of CEWAF as compared to WAF. Subsequent sublethal assays for routine respiration rate, bioluminescence, and glutathione- s-transferase (GST) activity were conducted on individuals surviving 24 h exposures to test solu- tions at both 15 and 23°C. GST activity increased significantly in 2.5 and 5 mg l−1 dispersant solu- tions at 15°C, suggesting a metabolic detoxification response to the dispersant-containing solutions, but no effect of any solution type on routine respiration rate was observed. Light emis- sion through mechanically stimulated bioluminescence and photocyte lysis decreased with exposure to crude oil WAF and CEWAF at both temperatures and to dispersant exposure at 23°C. Collectively, these results demonstrate that M. leidyi exhibits both lethal and sublethal effects from acute crude oil exposure, with an elevation of some sublethal responses upon addition of chemical dispersant. Sublethal effects of oil and dispersants in pelagic species, most notably impairment of luminescence, should be considered when evaluating oil spill response strategies. KEY WORDS: Crude oil · Corexit EC9500A · Zooplankton · Glutathione-s-transferase · Respiration · Bioluminescence INTRODUCTION pelagic marine taxa. Zooplankton are important mem bers of pelagic communities, both as grazers on Accidental offshore oil releases have highlighted phytoplankton and as food for higher trophic levels the need to better understand oil and chemical dis- (Banse 1995). They are particularly susceptible to oil persant effects on pelagic organisms (Thibodeaux et and dispersant exposure given their limited ability to al. 2011, Barron 2012). In coastal areas, dispersants move away from contaminated areas as compared to are often employed to degrade surface slicks in the nekton; while some of the more mobile zooplankton interest of protecting shorelines, but their use in- species exhibit oil avoidance swimming behaviors creases exposure of pelagic organisms by allowing under laboratory conditions (Seuront 2010), the oil at the ocean surface to mix into the water column scales of large spills inevitably result in the wide- inhabited by these organisms (Reed et al. 2004). Both spread exposure of planktonic organisms (Mitra et al. lethal and sublethal toxicological data are limited for 2012). Toxicological responses of zooplankton to oil crude oil, dispersed oil, and dispersant itself across and dispersants have largely been examined in crus- a range of ecologically important and abundant taceans (e.g. Cowles & Remillard 1983a,b, Hemmer © The authors 2015. Open Access under Creative Commons by *Corresponding author: [email protected] Attribution Licence. Use, distribution and reproduction are un - restricted. Authors and original publication must be credited. Publisher: Inter-Research · www.int-res.com 238 Aquat Biol 23: 237–250, 2015 et al. 2011, Almeda et al. 2013b, Cohen et al. 2014). brates, including some zooplankton taxa, include Recently, Almeda et al. (2013a) exposed several spe- altered reproduction and settlement (Singer et al. cies of gelatinous zooplankters to crude oil emul sions. 1998, Suderman & Marcus 2002, Hjorth & Nielsen Their results suggest that gelatinous zooplankters, 2011, Villanueva et al. 2011, Goodbody-Gringley et particularly coastal ctenophores, have the potential al. 2013), respiration rate (Laughlin & Neff 1981, to be vectors of hydrocarbons up pelagic food webs, Smith & Hargreaves 1984), growth (Laughlin & Neff as these organisms survive oil exposures better than 1981), feeding (Cowles & Remillard 1983a), and loco- most zooplankton and accumulate high-molecular- motion (Cowles & Remillard 1983b, Wu et al. 1997, weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Seuront 2011, Cohen et al. 2014). Sublethal studies of Yet, major uncertainties remain concerning lethal enzyme activity, including glutathione-s-transferases effects of dispersed oil on gelatinous zooplankton, as (GSTs), also suggest cellular detoxification pathways well as oil/dispersant effects on sublethal physio - in zooplankton can be upregulated with hydrocarbon logical processes in these organisms. exposure (Lee 1988, Hansen et al. 2008). In gelati- Ctenophores are important links in marine food nous zooplankton, sublethal effects studies upon webs, serving as both predators of other zooplankton oil/dispersant exposure have been limited to feeding and prey for higher trophic levels including seabirds activity and swimming speed (Lee et al. 2012, and turtles (Arai 2005, Cardona et al. 2012). The Almeda et al. 2013a). Effects of oil/dispersant expo- heavy predation of adult ctenophores on other zoo- sure on bioluminescence, a key physiological prop- plankton (Granhag et al. 2011), including the larvae erty of the ctenophore M. leidyi and many other of commercially valuable fish and shellfish spe - pelagic species (reviewed in Haddock et al. 2010), cies, affects not only the populations on which they have not been investigated. Ctenophores achieve feed directly but also secondarily on phytoplankton luminescence by the oxidation of coelenterazine communities (Deason & Smayda 1982). The lobate through species-specific, calcium-dependent, oxygen- ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in particular has been independent photoproteins located within special- shown to function as an important predator in coastal ized photocyte cells (Ward & Seliger 1974b, Shimo- ecosystems throughout its native range along the mura 2006). This bioluminescence most likely func tions Atlantic coast of North and South America and in the as a predator deterrent, whereby luminescent flashes Gulf of Mexico (Kremer 1994, Bayha et al. 2015). misdirect or startle a potential predator (Morin 1983, Additionally, the clearance rate on autotrophic and Haddock et al. 2010), and ctenophore luminescence heterotrophic microzooplankton by larval and post- has in turn shaped the predator-avoidance behaviors larval ctenophores is sufficiently high as to impact of their copepod prey (reviewed in Buskey et al. the base of coastal food webs during these early life 2012). For M. leidyi, the photoprotein (=mnemiopsin) stages (Stoecker et al. 1987). As ctenophore tissue is is contained in photocytes localized along meridio - relatively unprotected and exposed to surrounding nal canals; luminescence likely propagates via nu - seawater, ctenophores are potentially more suscepti- merous gap junctions after being initiated at periph- ble to the toxic effects of dispersant and dispersed oil eral nerve terminals (Anctil 1985). Mnemiopsin as compared to model fish and crustacean species, ac tivity in M. leidyi is potentially susceptible to given the tendency of chemical dispersants to de - chemical dispersants, whose membrane disruption grade biological membranes (Abel 1974). Seasonal properties may interfere with the animal’s ability to blooms of M. leidyi also create the potential for the regulate calcium in the mnemiopsin-containing exposure of large numbers of animals in the case of a photocytes. release that coincides with a bloom event (Sullivan et The present study examined lethal levels of expo- al. 2001). While Almeda et al. (2013a) studied oil- sure for a mid-Atlantic population of the ctenophore induced mortality and PAH accumulation in M. lei- M. leidyi at 2 seasonally relevant temperatures dyi, data are lacking for exposures to either disper- upon acute exposure to Corexit 9500A dispersant, sant or dispersed oil, which are relevant to coastal crude oil (WAF), and dispersed crude oil (CEWAF) spills and mitigation scenarios. to set exposure levels for sublethal experiments. Mortality following acute exposure is the most Subsequent sublethal exposure studies examining obvious detrimental effect of oil and dispersant, but parameters that may change over acute exposure sublethal toxic effects also have the potential to cre- time frames determined ctenophore respiration rate ate lasting ecological consequences (i.e. ‘ecological and capacity for bioluminescence, as well as ac - death’ sensu Singer et al. 1998). Sublethal effects of tivity of the detoxification enzyme GST in cteno - hydrocarbons and chemical dispersants on inverte- phore tissue. Peiffer & Cohen: Oil and dispersant effects in ctenophores 239 MATERIALS AND METHODS 30 mg dispersant l−1), crude oil alone (WAF, 0 to 150 mg oil l−1), or crude oil and dispersant in a 10:1 Specimen collection and laboratory acclimation ratio (CEWAF, 0 to 30 mg oil l−1) was added by gas- tight syringe. Mixing of stoppered bottles in darkness Ctenophores were collected by 15 to 30 min sets of was maintained for 18 h, followed by 4 to 6 h of a plankton net (0.75 m, 335 µm mesh) during daytime settling before drawing test solutions from the bot- flood tides from a stationary davit on a dock in the tom of the flasks for immediate
Load more

Recommended publications
  • United States Patent 19 11 Patent Number: 5,766,941 Cormier Et Al
    USO05766941A United States Patent 19 11 Patent Number: 5,766,941 Cormier et al. 45) Date of Patent: Jun. 16, 1998 54 RECOMBINANT DNA VECTORS CAPABLE Inouye. S. et al., "Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA OF EXPRESSINGAPOAEQUORIN for the luminescent protein aequorin." Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 82, pp. 3154-3158. (May 1985). (75) Inventors: Milton J. Cormier, Bogart. Ga.; Tsuji, F.I. et al., "Site-specific mutagenesis of the calci Douglas Prasher. East Falmouth, Mass. um-binding photoprotein aequorin.” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 83, pp. 8107-8111. (Nov. 1986). 73) Assignee: University of Georgia Research Charbonneau, H. et al., "Amino Acid Sequence of the Foundation, Inc., Athens. Ga. Calcium-Dependent Photoprotein Aequorin ." Biochemis try, vol. 24, No. 24. pp. 6762-6771. (Nov. 19, 1985). (21) Appl. No.: 487,779 Shimomura, O. et al., “Resistivity to denaturation of the apoprotein of aequorin and reconstitution of the luminescent 22 Filed: Jun. 7, 1995 photoprotein from the partially denatured apoprotein." Bio chem. J. vol. 199, pp. 825-828. (Dec. 1981). Related U.S. Application Data Prendergast, F.G. et al., "Chemical and Physical Properties 63 Continuation of Ser. No. 346,379, Nov. 29, 1994, which is of Aequorin and the Green Fluorescent Protein Isolated from a continuation of Ser. No. 960,195, Oct. 9, 1992, Pat. No. Aequorea forskalea." American Chemical Society, vol. 17. 5,422,266, which is a continuation of Ser, No. 569,362, Aug. No. 17. pp. 3449-3453. (Aug. 1978). 13, 1990, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. Shimomura. O. et al., "Chemical Nature of Bioluminescence 165,422, Feb.
    [Show full text]
  • Brazilian Bioluminescent Beetles: Reflections on Catching Glimpses of Light in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado
    Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências (2018) 90(1 Suppl. 1): 663-679 (Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences) Printed version ISSN 0001-3765 / Online version ISSN 1678-2690 http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201820170504 www.scielo.br/aabc | www.fb.com/aabcjournal Brazilian Bioluminescent Beetles: Reflections on Catching Glimpses of Light in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado ETELVINO J.H. BECHARA and CASSIUS V. STEVANI Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 748, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil Manuscript received on July 4, 2017; accepted for publication on August 11, 2017 ABSTRACT Bioluminescence - visible and cold light emission by living organisms - is a worldwide phenomenon, reported in terrestrial and marine environments since ancient times. Light emission from microorganisms, fungi, plants and animals may have arisen as an evolutionary response against oxygen toxicity and was appropriated for sexual attraction, predation, aposematism, and camouflage. Light emission results from the oxidation of a substrate, luciferin, by molecular oxygen, catalyzed by a luciferase, producing oxyluciferin in the excited singlet state, which decays to the ground state by fluorescence emission. Brazilian Atlantic forests and Cerrados are rich in luminescent beetles, which produce the same luciferin but slightly mutated luciferases, which result in distinct color emissions from green to red depending on the species. This review focuses on chemical and biological aspects of Brazilian luminescent beetles (Coleoptera) belonging to the Lampyridae (fireflies), Elateridae (click-beetles), and Phengodidae (railroad-worms) families. The ATP- dependent mechanism of bioluminescence, the role of luciferase tuning the color of light emission, the “luminous termite mounds” in Central Brazil, the cooperative roles of luciferase and superoxide dismutase against oxygen toxicity, and the hypothesis on the evolutionary origin of luciferases are highlighted.
    [Show full text]
  • 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 (1980) 341 Printed in Great Britain © Company of Biologists Limited 1980 CELL JUNCTIONS IN THE EXCITABLE EPITHELIUM OF BIOLUMINESCENT SCALES ON A POLYNOID WORM: A FREEZE-FRACTURE AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY A. BILBAUT Laboratoire d'Histologie et Biologie Tissulaire, University Claude Bernard, 43 Bd. du 11 Novembre 1918 69621, ViUeurbairne, France. SUMMARY The bioluminescent scales of the polynoid worm Acholoe are covered by a dorsal and ventral monolayer of epithelium. The luminous activity is intracellular and arises from the ventral epithelial cells, which are modified as photocytes. Photogenic and non-photogenic epithelial cells have been examined with regard to intercellular junctions and electrophysiological properties. Desmosomes, septate and gap junctions are described between all the epithelial cells. Lan- thanum impregnation and freeze-fracture reveal that the septate junctions belong to the pleated- type found in molluscs, arthropods and other annelid tissues. Freeze-fractured gap junctions show polygonal arrays of membrane particles on the P face and complementary pits on the E face. Gap junctions are of the P type as reported in vertebrate, mollusc and some annelid tissues, d.c. pulses injected intracellularly into an epithelial cell are recorded in neighbouring cells. Intracellular current passage also induces propagated non-overshooting action potentials in all the epithelial cells; in photocytes, an increase of injected current elicits another response which is a propagated 2-component overshooting action potential correlated with luminous activity. This study shows the coexistence of septate and gap junctions in a conducting and excitable invertebrate epithelium. The results are discussed in relation to the functional roles of inter- cellular junctions in invertebrate epithelia.
    [Show full text]
  • Bioluminescence and 16Th Century Caravaggism
    NATIONAL CENTER FOR CASE STUDY TEACHING IN SCIENCE Bioluminescence and 16th-century Caravaggism: The Glowing Intersection between Art and Science by Yunqiu (Daniel) Wang The Department of Biology University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL Part I – A New Artistic Technique In this case study, which makes use of several short embedded videos, we will explore one of the oldest fields of scientific study, dating from the first written records of the ancient Greeks, namely, bioluminescence, which is a classic example of the chemistry of life. Before the mid-1800s, the night brought complete darkness, modulated only by star light or moon light. Occasionally, the darkness of night could be illuminated by a form of light generated by insects or luminous mushrooms. This form of “living light” was later termed bioluminescence. Apart from illuminating the darkness of the night, a recent news report has pointed out that this form of “living light” may also have contributed to the success of a famous artistic style developed in the 16th century known as Caravaggism. Watch the video below, which defines bioluminescence and provides a brief introduction to the 16th-century artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610); Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro style of painting; and the plausible connection between bioluminescence and Caravaggism. Video #1: Bioluminescence and Caravaggism. Running time: 5:06 min. <https://youtu.be/SVYNzSxFf9c> In fine art painting, the termCaravaggism refers to techniques popularized by the radical Italian mannerist painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Caravaggio’s style of painting was based on an early form of photography developed 200 years before the invention of the camera, known as the camera obscura technique.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO Characterization of the Light
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO Characterization of the light producing system from the luminous brittlestar Ophiopsila californica (Echinodermata) A Thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Marine Biology by Leeann Alferness Committee in charge: Dimitri D. Deheyn, Chair Michael Latz Deirdre C. Lyons 2017 Copyright Leeann Alferness, 2017 All rights reserved. The Thesis of Leeann Alferness is approved and it is acceptable in quality and form for publication on microfilm and electronically: Chair University of California, San Diego 2017 iii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my mother Karen Oberkamper for unconditional support throughout my journey in pursuing my passion of marine biology as well as my father Phil Alferness for his scientific guidance and encouraging me to challenge myself with a focus in biochemistry. I would also like to dedicate my thesis to classmate and roommate Kimberly Chang for who I am forever grateful for our friendship and ability to help each other though this journey together. Lastly I would like to dedicate this work to my advisor Dimitri Deheyn and the Deheyn lab for their continued support through this challenging project. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Signature Page……………………………………………………………………………iii Dedication Page……………………………………………………………………….….iv Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………….v List of Figures…………………………………………………………………..………...vi List of Tables……………………………………………………………………...……...ix Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………...x Abstract of
    [Show full text]
  • Carbon Dioxide-Induced Bioluminescence Increase in Arachnocampa Larvae Hamish Richard Charlton and David John Merritt*
    © 2020. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd | Journal of Experimental Biology (2020) 223, jeb225151. doi:10.1242/jeb.225151 RESEARCH ARTICLE Carbon dioxide-induced bioluminescence increase in Arachnocampa larvae Hamish Richard Charlton and David John Merritt* ABSTRACT The best-known bioluminescent insects are the fireflies (Order Arachnocampa larvae utilise bioluminescence to lure small arthropod Coleoptera: Family Lampyridae) and the members of the genus prey into their web-like silk snares. The luciferin–luciferase light- Arachnocampa (Order Diptera: Family Keroplatidae) (Branham producing reaction occurs in a specialised light organ composed of and Wenzel, 2001; Meyer-Rochow, 2007). Among these insects, Malpighian tubule cells in association with a tracheal mass. The significant differences in bioluminescence production, utilisation accepted model for bioluminescence regulation is that light is actively and regulation have been observed (Lloyd, 1966; Meyer-Rochow repressed during the non-glowing period and released when glowing and Waldvogel, 1979; Meyer-Rochow, 2007). Adult lampyrid through the night. The model is based upon foregoing observations beetles emit light in controlled, periodic, patterned flashes to detect and communicate with potential mates (Copeland and Lloyd, 1983; that carbon dioxide (CO2) – a commonly used insect anaesthetic – produces elevated light output in whole, live larvae as well as isolated Lloyd, 1966). Lampyrid larvae release a steady glow, believed to be light organs. Alternative anaesthetics were reported to have a similar used aposematically, correlating with distastefulness (De Cock and light-releasing effect. We set out to test this model in Arachnocampa Matthysen, 1999). Arachnocampa larvae are predators that produce flava larvae by exposing them to a range of anaesthetics and gas light continuously throughout the night to lure arthropods into web- mixtures.
    [Show full text]
  • Sheila Macintyre Biochemistry Pet Enzyme Project Enyzmes Are Biomolecules Typically Proteins. Enzymes Are Specific to the Subs
    Sheila MacIntyre Biochemistry Pet Enzyme Project Enyzmes are biomolecules typically proteins. Enzymes are specific to the substrate they will act on and will convert the molecule to a different product. All biological processes require enzymes that will determine the metabolic pathways that occur in that cell. Enzymes catalyze chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed in the reaction. Bioluminescence is an enzyme catalyzed reaction and each luciferin-luciferase is specific to the species in the light emitting reaction. Fireflies communicate to each other by a series of flashing. Luciferase is a 62 KDa enzyme that catalyzes the reaction between luciferin, Mg-ATP and molecular oxygen to produce an electronically excited oxyluciferin an adenylate intermediate (Conti et al. Luciferin is in the classification of oxidoreductase enzyme. In the first step, in the reaction is the formation of an acid anhydride between the carboxylic group and AMP, with the release of diphosphate. Visible light is emitted during the release of a photon from the excited state of oxyluciferin to its ground state. The luciferase reaction is a “cold” reaction, which all of the chemical energy is converted to light energy with virtually no heat produced. Below is the reaction mechanism proposed for the firefly luciferin: Luciferin + ATP luciferyl adenylate + PPi Luciferyl adenylate + O2 oxyluciferin + AMP + CO 2 + hv Figure 1: Luciferin-luciferase reaction mechanism for firefly luciferase. N S N S Mg2+ luciferase S N HO O S N HO O AMP O O O O O P OH O2 O HO N S * + CO2 + AMP + hv S N O O Primary structure of an enzyme dictates its function.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Study of the Effects of Light on Photophore Ultrastructure from Two Families of Deep-Sea Decapod Crustaceans: Oplophoridae and Sergestidae
    Nova Southeastern University NSUWorks HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations HCNSO Student Work 4-24-2020 Comparative Study of the Effects of Light on Photophore Ultrastructure from Two Families of Deep-Sea Decapod Crustaceans: Oplophoridae and Sergestidae Jamie E. Sickles Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_stuetd Part of the Cell Biology Commons, Marine Biology Commons, and the Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons Share Feedback About This Item NSUWorks Citation Jamie E. Sickles. 2020. Comparative Study of the Effects of Light on Photophore Ultrastructure from Two Families of Deep-Sea Decapod Crustaceans: Oplophoridae and Sergestidae. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, . (524) https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_stuetd/524. This Thesis is brought to you by the HCNSO Student Work at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thesis of Jamie E. Sickles Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science M.S. Marine Biology Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography April 2020 Approved: Thesis Committee Major Professor: Tamara Frank, Ph.D. Committee Member: Patricia Blackwelder, Ph.D. Committee Member: Heather Bracken-Grissom, Ph.D. This thesis is available at NSUWorks: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_stuetd/524 Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography Comparative Study of the Effects of Light on Photophore Ultrastructure from Two Families of Deep-Sea Decapod Crustaceans: Oplophoridae and Sergestidae By Jamie Elizabeth Sickles Submitted to the Faculty of Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science with a specialty in: Marine Biology Nova Southeastern University April 2020 Thesis of Jamie E.
    [Show full text]
  • Neural Excitation of the Larval Firefly Photocyte: Slow Depolarization Possibly Mediated by a Cyclic Nucleotide
    J. exp. Biol. (1976), 65, 213-327 213 ~Vith 10 figures xrinUd in Great Britain NEURAL EXCITATION OF THE LARVAL FIREFLY PHOTOCYTE: SLOW DEPOLARIZATION POSSIBLY MEDIATED BY A CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE BY DONATA OERTEL AND JAMES F. CASE Department of Biological Sciences University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106 (Received 3 February 1976) SUMMARY 1. In firefly larvae, extracellular recordings from the light organ nerve show that a volley of action potentials elicits a glow similar to the glow of an intact animal. 2. Intracellular recordings from the photocytes show that they respond to nerve stimulation with a slow, graded depolarization which precedes light emission. The depolarization begins about 0-5 s after the nerve is stimulated; it peaks about 1 s after stimulation; and subsides about 2^5 s after the stimu- lus. The glow increases fastest when the photocyte depolarization is at its peak and lasts 5-15 s. 3. Photocyte depolarization is associated with a decrease in the input resistance of the cell. 4. Adrenergic receptors in the light organ are pharmacologically similar to vertebrate a-receptors. 5. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors, aminophylline and theophylline, cause the light organ to glow, suggesting that cyclic nucleotides may mediate the effect of the adrenergic nerve transmitter. INTRODUCTION Two aspects of neural control of bioluminescence in the firefly larva have been in- vestigated using electrophysiological and pharamacological methods: (1) synaptic mechanisms of the nerve-photocyte synapse; (2) intracellular mechanisms controlling luminescence. Although the biochemical reactions leading to light emission in the firefly have been extensively studied (McElroy & De Luca, 1973; Bowie, Horak & De Luca, 1973; Bowie et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Nitric Oxide and the Control of Firefly Flashing
    R EPORTS exposed to NO gas might represent CNS effects rather than direct effects on the lan- Nitric Oxide and the Control of tern. Therefore, we explored whether isolated lanterns maintained in insect saline also re- Firefly Flashing sponded to NO or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors. However, lanterns separat- 1 1 2 Barry A. Trimmer, * June R. Aprille, David M. Dudzinski, ed from their tracheal air supply and hemo- Christopher J. Lagace,1 Sara M. Lewis,1 Thomas Michel,2,3 lymph glowed continuously (4), and it was Sanjive Qazi,1 Ricardo M. Zayas1 difficult to evoke consistent flashes in re- sponse to the primary lantern neurotransmit- Bioluminescent flashing is essential for firefly reproduction, yet the specific ter, octopamine. Despite disrupted O2 levels molecular mechanisms that control light production are not well understood. in photocyctes resulting from cut tracheae We report that light production by fireflies can be stimulated by nitric oxide and exposure to insect saline, isolated lan- (NO) gas in the presence of oxygen and that NO scavengers block biolumi- terns exhibited brighter glow in the presence nescence induced by the neurotransmitter octopamine. NO synthase is robustly of the NO donors diethylamine NONOate, expressed in the firefly lantern in cells interposed between nerve endings and NOC-12, and NOC-7 (15, 16). The effect of the light-producing photocytes. These results suggest that NO synthesis is a key NO appears to be independent of guanylyl determinant of flash control in fireflies. cyclase because assays of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in NO-treated Firefly courtship depends on a remarkable and quickly cross such distances is the free lanterns failed to detect increases over the flash communication system involving pre- radical gas nitric oxide (NO).
    [Show full text]
  • The Localization of Luciferase in Pteroptyx Tener (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) Light Organ
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by UKM Journal Article Repository Serangga 21(1): 51-59 ISSN 1394-5130 © 2016, Centre for Insects Systematic, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia THE LOCALIZATION OF LUCIFERASE IN PTEROPTYX TENER (COLEOPTERA: LAMPYRIDAE) LIGHT ORGAN Nur Khairunnisa S., Nurul Wahida O. and Norela S. Centre for Insects Systematic, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT Firefly is famously known for the light emission from its abdominal light organ. Light produce by firefly is known as bioluminescence. Luciferase is the enzyme that catalyze the light emitting reaction that produce bioluminescence. Haematoxylin and Eosin staining were used to describe the histological structure of the light organ. Localization of luciferase was discovered by immunohistochemical staining with polyclonal anti-luciferase and DAB chromogen as secondary antibody. Microphotography of light organ tissues was taken by Carl Zeiss Axio Scope A1 photomicroscope. This study revealed that the luciferase enzyme located at the photocyte cytoplasm of photogenic layer. This finding is an initial step to fully understand the regulation of synchronous light production in P. tener. 52 Serangga Keywords: Pteroptyx tener, Lampyridae, firefly, Luciferase, light organ ABSTRAK Kelip-kelip terkenal dengan kebolehan mengeluarkan cahaya daripada organ cahaya yang terletak pada abdomennya. Cahaya yang dihasilkan oleh kelip-kelip ini dikenali sebagai bioluminasi dan luciferase adalah enzim yang berfungsi untuk memangkin proses penghasilan bioluminasi. Tisu organ cahaya diwarnakan mengikut kaedah pewarnaan Hematoksilin dan Eosin (H&E) untuk pencerapan struktur histologi organ cahaya. Manakala pewarnaan imminohistokimia menggunakan poliklonal anti- luciferase pula digunakan untuk mengenal pasti kedudukan enzim luciferase yang terdapat pada organ cahaya.
    [Show full text]
  • Bioluminescence Characteristics Changeability of Ctenophore Beroe Ovata Mayer, 1912 (Beroida) in Ontogenesis
    www.trjfas.org ISSN 1303-2712 Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 12: 479-484 (2012) DOI: 10.4194/1303-2712-v12_2_39 Bioluminescence Characteristics Changeability of Ctenophore Beroe ovata Mayer, 1912 (Beroida) in Ontogenesis Yuri Tokarev1,*, Olga Mashukova1, Elena Sibirtsova1 1 Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas (IBSS) of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Sevastopol, 99011, Nakhimov Av., 2, Ukraine. * Corresponding Author: Tel.: +380.692 545919; Fax: +380.692 557813; Received 15 March 2012 E-mail: [email protected] Accepted 18 July 2012 Abstract The changes of the biophysical characteristics of light-emission in ontogenesis of ctenophore Beroe ovata Mayer, 1912 – recent introducer to the Black Sea has been researched. It is established, that bioluminescent amplitude of larvae was eight times higher, and energy of light-emission seven times more, than similar parameters of the bioluminescence in eggs of ctenophores. Amplitude and energy of light-emission of quite recently caught ctenophore (in control) were some orders more than similar parameters in ctenophores after spawning. The maximum bioluminescent amplitude values were observed in the group of ctenophores with eggs-laying. It was registered a significant increase of light-emission characteristics of ctenophores with increasing body. Substantiated conclusion, that distinctions in the bioluminescence parameters of ctenophores in ontogenesis can be caused by ontogenetic features of their biochemical structure and quantity involved in bioluminescent reaction photocytes. Keywords: Light-emission parameters, Beroe ovata, life cycles, Black Sea Introduction Another ctenophore B. ovata, which eats mnemiopsis, invaded the Black Sea at the end of 90- Ctenophores Mnemiopsis leidyi A.
    [Show full text]