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Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 187, Issue 1 201-206, Copyright © 1994 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Gadolinium is a powerful blocker of the activation of nematocytes of Pelagia noctiluca

A Salleo, G La Spada and R Barbera
Institute of General Physiology, University of Messina, Italy.

The activation properties of in situ nematocytes of Pelagia noctiluca (Scyphozoa) were investigated by physical contact with a gelatin probe that, besides stimulating the nematocyte battery, retains the discharged nematocysts, thereby allowing a quantitative evaluation of the response. In oral arms previously treated with 2 mmol l-1 La3+ the discharge was inhibited. This result confirms the Ca(2+)-dependence of nematocyte activation. A similar inhibitory effect was induced by treatment with 20 mumol l-1 Gd3+, a powerful blocker of mechanosensitive ion channels. It is therefore proposed that Ca(2+)-permeable mechanosensitive channels are involved in the activation of nematocytes. 50 mumol l-1 Gd3+ added to the gelatin probe was effective in otherwise untreated oral arms. This result suggests that Gd3+ could be useful in preventing stings from harmful Cnidaria.




© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1994