Release of ATP from adrenergic nerves controlling pigment aggregation in tilapia melanophores.
Using split fin preparations of a tilapia, Sarotherodon niloticus, release of ATP from the adrenergic melanosome-aggregating nerve was studied. Associated with the melanosome aggregation, an apparent release of ATP was detected following electrical nervous stimulation. ATP-release increased with increases in stimulus intensity. Spontaneous release of a small amount of ATP was also detected. It was concluded that ATP may be liberated as a co-transmitter along with the true one, norepinephrine, and it may function to help melanophores recover from the effect of the latter, thus enabling fish to change their hue very rapidly.
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D000320:Adrenergic Fibers / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008547:Melanophores / Q000378:metabolism*; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism
D010860:Pigments, Biological; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate