title: Effects of catecholamines and purines on luminescence in the brittlestar Amphipholis squamata (Echinodermata).
abstract: The effects of catecholamines (dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline and its derivatives), 5-hydroxytryptamine and purines (adenosine, ATP and their derivatives) on the acetylcholine-induced luminescence of isolated arms and dissociated photocytes of the luminescent ophiuroid Amphipholis squamata were tested. The results showed that catecholamines and 5-hydroxytryptamine (10(-)(5) to 10(-)(3 )mol l(-)(1)) had a strong dose-dependent inhibitory effect on acetylcholine-induced luminescence. In contrast, purines (10(-)(4) and 10(-)(3 )mol l(-)(1)) triggered luminescence in the absence of acetylcholine and/or potentiated acetylcholine-induced luminescence. The results with specific purinergic agonists and antagonists indicated the involvement of P(1)- and P(2)-like purinoceptors in the control of luminescence. Our study suggests that, in addition to the previously described cholinergic system in Amphipholis squamata, there may be a purinergic system, acting in synergy with acetylcholine, and an inhibitory neuromodulatory catecholaminergic system, all associated with the control of luminescence.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Bremaeker
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baguet
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mallefet
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000225:Adenine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D000322:Adrenergic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D004447:Echinodermata / Q000502:physiology*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D011687:Purines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000322:Adrenergic Agonists; D002395:Catecholamines; D011687:Purines; D012701:Serotonin; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000225:Adenine; D000109:Acetylcholine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine