title: Cytobiological studies on hemocyanin metabolism in the branchial heart complex of the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (Cephalopoda, Dibranchiata).
abstract: The present study confirms previous investigations that demonstrated a high copper content in the branchial heart and its appendage, and that gave the first indication that this organ complex might be involved in hemocyanin metabolism in Sepia officinalis L. Immunocytochemical localization of hemocyanin molecules within the endocytotic lysosomal system of the ovoid cells and tracer experiments with 125I-labeled Sepia hemocyanin suggest its endocytotic uptake. Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis and histochemical methods reveal a high copper content within the ovoid cells of the branchial heart. In view of the turnover of the respiratory pigment in the branchial heart of Sepia officinalis L., we believe that the ovoid cells are a site of hemocyanin catabolism.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeine und Spezielle Zoologie, Bereich Entwicklungsbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Stephanstrasse 24, D-35390 Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beuerlein
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schimmelpfennig
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Westermann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruth
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schipp
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008974:Mollusca / Q000378:metabolism*; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D003300:Copper; D006433:Hemocyanins; D010100:Oxygen