title: Yessotoxin affects fMLP-induced cell shape changes inMytilus galloprovincialis immunocytes.
abstract: Using computer-assisted microscopic image analysis, we have found that algal yessotoxin (YTX) affects the immune response of Mytilus galloprovincialis. Indeed, YTX increases immunocyte cell motility through the involvement of both extracellular Ca2+ and cAMP, but not through protein kinase A, protein kinase C or phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Alone, however, the toxin does not induce any effect, as its action on cell motility is observed only after addition of the chemotactic substance N-formyl-Meth-Leu-Phe (fMLP). fMLP is known to induce cellular changes via both the phosphatidylinositol and cAMP pathways and, from this scenario, we can surmise that Ca2+ and cAMP concentrations rise sufficiently in fMLP-activated immunocytes to reveal YTX action. One possible explanation is that the toxin increases fMLP-mediated cell activation by intervening in L-type Ca2+-channel opening through a cAMP-dependent/PKA-independent pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41100 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malagoli
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ottaviani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004988:Ethers, Cyclic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D035964:Oxocins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004988:Ethers, Cyclic; D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D035964:Oxocins; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; C066632:yessotoxin