Synergic effects of tryptamine and octopamine on ophiuroid luminescence (Echinodermata)

J Exp Biol. 2004 Oct;207(Pt 21):3749-56. doi: 10.1242/jeb.01209.

Abstract

In ophiuroids, bioluminescence is under nervous control. Previous studies have shown that acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter triggering light emission in Amphipholis squamata and Amphiura filiformis. By contrast, none of the neurotransmitters tested so far induced luminescence in two other ophiuroid species, Ophiopsila aranea and Ophiopsila californica. The aim of this work was thus to investigate the putative involvement of two biogenic amines, tryptamine and octopamine, in light emission of three ophiuroid species. A. filiformis responds to both tryptamine and octopamine, mainly on its arm segments, while O. californica only responds to tryptamine stimulation. By contrast, tryptamine and octopamine do not seem to be involved in O. aranea luminescence control since none of these substances induced light emission in this species. The synergic effects of several other drugs with tryptamine and octopamine were also tested.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Echinodermata / physiology*
  • Luminescent Measurements*
  • Luminescent Proteins / drug effects*
  • Luminescent Proteins / physiology
  • Octopamine / pharmacology*
  • Species Specificity
  • Sweden
  • Tryptamines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Tryptamines
  • Octopamine
  • tryptamine