title: Heat shock as inducer of metamorphosis in marine invertebrates.
abstract: In most sessile marine invertebrates, metamorphosis is dependent on environmental cues. Here we report that heat stress is capable of inducing metamorphosis in the hydroid Hydractinia echinata. The onset of heat-induced metamorphosis is correlated with the appearance of heat-shock proteins. Larvae treated with the metamorphosis-inducing agents Cs+or NH4+also synthesize heat-shock proteins. In heat-shocked larvae, the internal NH4+-concentration increases. This fits the hypothesis that methylation plays a central role in control of metamorphosis. In the tunicate Ciona intestinalis, a heat shock is able to induce metamorphosis too.
authors.affiliation: Zoologisches Institut der Universität Köln, Im Weyertal 119, W-5000, Köln 41, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kroiher
authors.affiliation: Zoologisches Institut der Universität Köln, Im Weyertal 119, W-5000, Köln 41, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walther
authors.affiliation: Zoologisches Institut der Universität Köln, Im Weyertal 119, W-5000, Köln 41, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berking
keywords: Ciona intestinalis; Heat-shock proteins; Hydractinia echinata; Invertebrates; Metamorphosis