Distribution of α-MSH-like immunoreactive cells in the nervous system, Hatschek''''s pit and other tissues of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Immunohistochemical localization of a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the nervous system, Hatschek's pit and other tissues of amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri) was performed using the antibody against synthetic α-MSH. The results revealed that α-MSH-like immunoreactive cells were distributed at the dorsal side and ventral side of brain vesicle, the dorsal side and the surrounding of nerve tube, and in the epithelial cells of Hatschek's pit, the zone 1, 3, and 6 of endostyle and gut. The immunoreactive substance was also found in the primary oocytes of the small and large growth stage of ovary and early stage spermatogenic cells in testis. These findings indicate that α-MSH is an ancient and highly conserved hormone and it is extensively distributed in amphioxus. Although Hatschek's pit in amphioxus does not have a structure of the intermediate lobe of vertebrate adenohypophysis, it has already hosted α-MSH-like endocrine cells, implying that the functional differentiation of α-MSH-like cells occurred earlier than the differentiation of the tissue structure. The results of the present study provided a new evidence for the endocrinology of Hatschek's pit and for the origin and evolution of vertebrate adenohypophysis.     

Distribution of CRH- and ACTH-like immunoreactive cells in amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Immunocytochemical studies on the nervous system, Hatschek’s pit，digestive tract and gonads tissues of an amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri) were performed using polyclonal antibodies against human corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and human adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). The results showed that many CRH-like immunoreactive neurons were distributed specifically on the dorsal side and ventral side of brain vesicle, while a few CRH-like neurons and their fibers in spinal cord. At the same time, the epithelial cells in the basic region of Hatschek’s pit were shown immunopositive to CRH antibody. In gonads (ovary and testis), CRH-immunopositive substance was localized in the cytoplasm near oocyte nucleus and in early spermatogenic cells. ACTH-like immunoreactivities were observed specially in the neurons and their protrusions localized on the ventral side of the brain vesicle and in spinal cord, and also in epithelial cells of Hatschek’s pit, enteric neurons of digestive tract, oocytes in ovary and in early spermatogenic cells as well. It was found for the first time that CRH-like neurons existed in the middle region of brain vesicle (corresponding to the hypothalamus of vertebrates) and ACTH-like immunopositive cells existed in Hatschek’s pit, implying that a control mechanism between brain vesicle and Hatschek’s pit maybe had been already built in amphioxus as that in vertebrates. The present study will provide new morphological evidence for the origin and evolution of ACTH. In addition, the immunoreactivities of CRH and ACTH in the digestive tract and gonads suggested other physiological function of CRH and ACTH in amphioxus.     

Distribution of growth hormone-like immunoreactive cells and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek''''s pit of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Using immunohistochemical method and double staining technique, the localization of growth hormone (GH) and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit of amphioxus has been investigated. The results showed that the growth hormone-like nerve cells and endocrine cells as well as three subtypes of somatostatin receptors exist in the nervous system and Hatschek s pit, and GH-like nerve cells and endocrine cells co-exist with three subtypes of somatostatin receptors in the brain vesicle and Hatschek s pit. It is suggested that a primitive control system of inhibitory growth hormone secretion in Hatschek s pit could have been developed in amphioxus, as in vertebrates. The present study provides new evidence for the endocrinology and the evolution of Hatschek's pit.     

Distribution of a-MSH-like immunoreactive cells in the nervous system,Hatschek's pit and other tissues of amphioxus,Branchiostoma belcheri

Immunohistochemical localization of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone （α-MSH） in the nervous system, Hatschek＇s pit and other tissues of amphioxus （Branchiostorna belcheri） was performed using the antibody against synthetic α-MSH. The results revealed that α-MSH-like immunoreactive cells were distributed at the dorsal side and ventral side of brain vesicle, the dorsal side and the surrounding of nerve tube, and in the epithelial cells of Hatschek＇s pit, the zone 1, 3, and 6 of endostyle and gut. The immunoreactive substance was also found in the primary oocytes of the small and large growth stage of ovary and early stage spermatogenic cells in testis. These findings indicate that α-MSH is an ancient and highly conserved hormone and it is extensively distributed in amphioxus. Although Hatschek＇s pit in amphioxus does not have a structure of the intermediate lobe of vertebrate adenohypophysis, it has already hosted α-MSH-like endocrine cells, implying that the functional differentiation of α-MSH-like cells occurred earlier than the differentiation of the tissue structure. The results of the present study provided a new evidence for the endocrinology of Hatschek＇s pit and for the origin and evolution of vertebrate adenohypophysis.     

Distribution of ghrelin-like immunoreactive cells in amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri – A study of immunohistochemistry

The distribution of ghrelin-like immunoreactive cells in amphioxus （Branchiostoma belcheri） was investigated by using immunohistochemical staining with rabbit antiserum against synthetical mammalian ghrelin. The results showed that ghrelin-like immunoreactive cells were distributed widely in the nervous system, Hatschek＇s pit, wheel organ, digestive tract and gonads （ovary and testis）. In nervous system, ghrelin-like immunoreactive neurons and their protrusions were distributed specifically on the dorsal side, ventral side and funnel part of brain vesicle, with a few dispersive immunoreactive nerve cells and their fibers in nerve tube. Ghrelin-like immunoreactivities were also detected in Hatschek＇s pit epithelial cells and wheel organ cells, with positive substance located along cell membrane. In digestive tract, ghrelin-like immunoreactive cells existed in hepatic diverticulum, anterior and posterior region of midgut, and could be classified into two types, closed- and opened-type endocrine cells. The number of positive cells was most in hepatic diverticulum, secondary in posterior region of midgut and least in anterior region of midgut. In gonads, ghrelin-like immunoreactive substance was detected in oogonia, oocytes and follicle cells in ovary at the small and large growth stages and in early spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells in testis. The extensive distribution of ghrelin-like cells in amphioxus suggested that these kinds of cells are conservative in evolution and diversified in function. At the same time, we found for the first time that ghrelin-like immunoreactive cells existed in brain vesicle and Hatschek＇s pit, which provided new morphological evidence for the existence of an activation pathway between brain vesicle and Hatschek＇s pit for the regulation of growth hormone excretion.     

Neuroendocrine regulation of structure and function in the endostyle of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Using histological and histochemical methods the structure of the endostyle in amphioxus at different gonadal developmental stages is studied, and the immunocytochemical localization of thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyrotropin (TSH) in the endostyle, Hatschek's pit and brain vesicle is investigated. The results not only confirm the previous report that the endostyle is composed of 6 zones and the cells of zone 5 are thyroid hormone synthesizing cells, but also find the thyroxine synthesis in and secretion from zone 3. In addition, the epithelial cells in Hatschek's pit and the neural cells in brain vesicle are immunopositive for TSH, and the immunoactivity is correlated with gonadal cycle. The present study may provide morphological proof for the hypothesis that the secretory activity of thyroid cells is regulated by TSH from Hatschek's pit and brain vesicle.     

Localization and expression of LHβmRNA in the brain and Hatschek's pit of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

To determine whether gonadotropin-like substance in the brain and Hatschek' s pit of amphioxus issynthesized by the tissue in situ or transported from other tissue, a histochemical study was carried out by in situ hy- bridization using digoxigenin (DIG)-labelled LHβRNAprobes. The results showed that LHβmRNA expressed in the nerve cells of brain and the epithelial cells of Hatschek' s pit, thus providing new evidence for the homology of pituitary of ver- tebrates with Hatschek' s pit and the functional evolution of gonadotropin.     

罗源湾文昌鱼幼体的发现

文昌鱼是名贵的海产品,也是教学和科研的好材料,我国现有文昌鱼资源量不多,最负有盛名的厦门刘五店文昌鱼资源也日益衰竭。作者在1986年11月至1987年10月罗源湾浮游动物调查期问,首次在罗源湾发现文昌鱼幼体,经鉴定为厦门文昌鱼(Branchi-     

mmunohistochemical localization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors (GnRHR) in the nervous system, Hatschek's pit and gonads of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) anti-idiotypic antibodies and APA im-munohistochemical method, the immunoreactivity of GnRHR in the nervous system, Hatschek's pit and gonads of amphioxus has been located. It is found for the first time that the immunoreactivity of GnRHR exists in the nerve cells and fibers in the amphioxus's brain and nerve tube and the epithelial cells of Hatschek's pit at the different stages of gonadal development. At the same time, it is also found that GnRHR also exists in the ovary and testis of different developed stages. These findings provide morphological new proof for the informative transfer and regulation between brain and Hatschek's pit mediation by GnRHR, and for the understanding of the mechanism of action on the reproductive endocrine control axis among brain-Hatschek's pit-go-nads.     

Position in the evolution of reproductive endocrine of amphioxus,Branchiostoma belcheri

This review summarizes the recent discoveries of many authors who found that in amphioxus Hatschek’s pit is capable of synthesizing vertebrate gonadotropin-like substance, and that the content of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the amphioxus’ body shows a positive correlation with the reproductive cycle, and that the sex steroid hormone exists in gonads. Exogenous hormones could promote gonadal development, maturation and reproductive activity in amphioxus. A possible implication might be that the reproductive activity in amphioxus is regulated by reproductive hormones like vertebrate, indicating the existence of primitive reproductive endocrine regulatory axis, brain vesicle-Hatschek’s pit-gonads axis, as compared with regulatory axis of vertebrate. It will provide a new line for establishing the position of reproductive endocrine evolution in lancelet.     

Distribution of growth hormone-like immunoreactive cells and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Using immunohistochemical method and double staining technique, the localization of growth hormone (GH) and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit of amphioxus has been investigated. The results showed that the growth hormone-like nerve cells and endocrine cells as well as three subtypes of somatostatin receptors exist in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit, and GH-like nerve cells and endocrine cells co-exist with three subtypes of somatostatin receptors in the brain vesicle and Hatschek's pit. It is suggested that a primitive control system of inhibitory growth hormone secretion in Hatschek's pit could have been developed in amphioxus, as in vertebrates. The present study provides new evidence for the endocrinology and the evolution of Hatschek's pit.     

Distribution of growth hormone-like immunoreactive cells and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek''s pit of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Using immunohistochemical method and double staining technique, the localization of growth hormone (GH) and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit of amphioxus has been investigated. The results showed that the growth hormone-like nerve cells and endocrine cells as well as three subtypes of somatostatin receptors exist in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit, and GH-like nerve cells and endocrine cells co-exist with three subtypes of somatostatin receptors in the brain vesicle and Hatschek's pit. It is suggested that a primitive control system of inhibitory growth hormone secretion in Hatschek's pit could have been developed in amphioxus, as in vertebrates. The present study provides new evidence for the endocrinology and the evolution of Hatschek's pit.     

文昌鱼酸性磷酸酶在变性剂变性时的构象及活力变化的研究

十二烷基硫酸锂(LDS),脲(Urea)等变性剂作用于ACPase,以荧光法跟踪该酶的构象变化,随着LDS浓度提高荧光强度下降但发射峰没有位移,而在Urea中,荧光强度随着变性剂浓度上升而下降,发射峰明星红移,由330～350nm,分别测定其变性及失活的动力学常数,比较酶构象及催化活力的关系,结果表明:变性与失活为快相和慢相的一级反应,在LDS作用下,失活速度大于变性速度,属于快活力慢构象变化的模式,Urea的作用为变性速度大于失活速度,属于快构象慢活力变化的另一种模式,Urea作用后的变性酶,在测定其活力的10min内,没有观察到底物对变性酶的修复作用,以及稀释对变性酶的复活效应。     

Synergistic actions of complement and lysozyme in clearance of Escherichia coli from amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri

Amphioxus appears lacking free circulating blood cells. How it clears invading pathogens from its body remains unknown to date. We demonstrate here that amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri is capable of efficiently eliminating the invading bacterium Escherichia coli from its humoral fluid, and the complement and lysozyme are both involved in the elimination of the invading pathogen. Both the complement and lysozyme act in concert against the invading bacterium, but the complement appears playing a more dominant role than the lysozyme.     

Immunohistochemical localization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors (GnRHR) in the nervous system, Hatschek’s pit and gonads of amphioxus,Branchiostoma belcheri

Using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) anti-idiotypic antibodies and APA immunohistochemical method, the immunoreactivity of GnRHR in the nervous system, Hatschek’s pit and gonads of amphioxus has been located. It is found for the first time that the immunoreactivity of GnRHR exists in the nerve cells and fibers in the amphioxus’s brain and nerve tube and the epithelial cells of Hatschek’s pit at the different stages of gonadal development. At the same time, it is also found that GnRHR also exists in the ovary and testis of different developed stages. These findings provide morphological new proof for the informative transfer and regulation between brain and Hatschek’s pit mediation by GnRHR, and for the understanding of the mechanism of action on the reproductive endocrine control axis among brain-Hatschek’s pit-gonads.     

Immunolocalization of aromatase, estrogen and estrogen receptor α and β in the epithelium of digestive tract and enteric neurons of amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri )

Immunohistochemical localization of aromatase, estrogen and estrogen receptor in the digestive tract and enteric neurons of amphioxus is investigated. It was found that immunoreactive proteins of aromatase, estrogen and ER-α and β are expressed in hepatic diverticulum, epithelial cells of anterior and posterior region of midgut, as well as in enteric neurons, while hindgut showed immunonegative. The results suggest that digestive tract of amphioxus may be able to synthesize estrogen and possess endocrine function, like rat gastric epithelium and enteric neurons in mammals. The present study provides authentic morphological evidence for explaining the action mechanism of estrogen in regulating the digestive function of gut and the functional evolution of estrogen, which has important theoretical significance in amphioxus.     

Immunocytological evidence for the presence of vertebrate FSH and LH-like substances in the brain and thoracic ganglion of the swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus

Investigating the distribution of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus, helps in the understanding of its reproductive regulation mechanism. This study has detected the location of vertebrate FSH- and LH-like substances in the brain and the thoracic ganglion mass with immunocytochemical techniques. Their immunoreaction is very weak or negative during the immature period and the post-spawning period, while it is stronger in the mature period. Localization of FSH-like immunoreactive cells resembles that of LH-tike cells. These immunoreactive cells were observed chiefly in the anterior median cell-cluster of the protocerebrum with stronger immunostaining. There were only a few in the inboard cell-cluster of the olfactory lobe of the deutocerebrum and the posterior cell-cluster of the tritocerebrum. Immunoreactive cells were located in all the three ganglia in the thoracic ganglion mass. These results indicated that substances resembling the vertebrate FSH and LH exist in P. trituberculatus, and their expression has some correlation with the developmental stage of ovaries, thus they might engage in the ovary development and ovulation.     

Immunocytological evidence for the presence of vertebrate FSH- and LH-like substances in the brain and thoracic ganglion of the swimming crab，Portunus trituberculatus

Investigating the distribution of follicle stimulating hormone （FSH） and luteinizing hormone （LH） in the swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus, helps in the understanding of its reproductive regulation mechanism. This study has detected the location of vertebrate FSH- and LH-like substances in the brain and the thoracic ganglion mass with immunocytochemical techniques. Their immunoreaction is very weak or negative during the immature period and the post-spawning period, while it is stronger in the mature period. Localization of FSH-like immunoreactive cells resembles that of LH-like cells. These immunoreactive cells were observed chiefly in the anterior median cell-duster of the protocerebrum with stronger immunostaining. There were only a few in the inboard cell-cluster of the olfactory lobe of the deutocerebrum and the posterior cell-cluster of the tritocerebrum. Immunoreactive cells were located in all the three ganglia in the thoracic ganglion mass. These results indicated that substances resembling the vertebrate FSH and LH exist in P. trituberculatus, and their expression has some correlation with the developmental stage of ovaries, thus they might engage in the ovary development and ovulation.     

枫香树树胶管的发生发育及分布研究

通过对可采割枫香树（ＬｉｇｕｉｄａｍｂａｒｆｏｒｍｏｓａｎａＨ．Ｒｅｓｉｎ）的嫩枝和主茎解剖学观察,弄清了枫香树主茎树胶管的发生发育及分布规律：二年生嫩枝横切面上未发现有树胶管形成。在主茎次生木质部中的垂直与横向树胶管分别由形成层的纺缍状原始细胞和射线原始细胞衍生而来,以裂生方式发生和发育,分布于当年年轮线靠晚材部分,当年形成的树胶管具泌脂能力。次生木质部垂直和横向树胶管联结成二维系统。根据树胶管的发生发育及分布规律,提出相当的采脂方法。     

JWA,a novel microtubule-associated protein,regulates homeostasis of intracellular amino acids in PC12 cells

Microtubules are long, stiff polymers that extendthroughout the cytoplasm and govern the location of membrane-bounded organelles and other cell components.The building block of a microtubule is the tubulin subunit, a heterodimer of a- and b-tubulin. Both of these 50 kDmonomers are found in all eukaryotes, and their se-quences are highly conserved. The bulk of cellular tubulin is cytoplasmic, but a significant fraction is embedded in, or firmly associated with the plasma membrane and other memb…