title: Calcium requirement for alpha-MSH action on tail-fin melanophores of xenopus tadpoles.
abstract: The role of Ca2+ in alpha-MSH action on melanophores was studied, in vitro, with a bioassay on ventral tail-fin pieces from tadpoles of Xenopus laevis. Melanosome dispersion induced by alpha-MSH required 1-2 mM extracellular Ca2+. Gradual lowering of the extracellular Ca2+ levels produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the alpha-MSH response; complete inhibition was obtained in a Ca2+-free medium containing 10-4 M EGTA. In Mg2+-free medium, normal dispersion was observed. The Ca2+ antagonists verapamil (10-4 M), methoxy-verapamil (10-4 M) and La3+ (10-3 M) inhibited the dispersion induced by 3 X 10-9 M alpha-MSH, whereas ruthenium red (10-3 M) was without effect. The ionophore A23187 mimicked the effect of the hormone. Melanosome movement per se was evidently independent of Ca2+, because cAMP and dibutyryl-cAMP induced a full dispersion in the absence of Ca2+. These results show that extracellular Ca2+ is specifically required for alpha-MSH action on tail-fin melanophores in vitro and suggests a Ca2+ influx concomitant with the action of the hormone. Possible intra- and extra-cellular Ca2+ sites are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008547:Melanophores / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013623:Tail; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D000001:Calcimycin; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D002118:Calcium