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Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 201, Issue 9 1393-1403, Copyright © 1998 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Neuromuscular sensitivity to hydrogen sulfide in the marine invertebrate Urechis caupo

D Julian, WE Dalia and AJ Arp
Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies, San Francisco State University, Tiburon, CA 94920-0855, USA.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a well-known inhibitor of aerobic respiration via its reversible binding of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, but recent studies have suggested that HS may have other non-respiratory actions. We have studied the effects of HS on spontaneous and evoked contractions in vitro under hypoxic and anoxic conditions in nerve-muscle preparations from the echiuran worm Urechis caupo. Contraction amplitude in response to electric field stimulation under anoxic conditions was completely abolished by HS within minutes in a classic dose-response relationship (Kd=31 mmol l-1, r2=0.86). Exposure of body wall and esophagus to HS in vitro for up to 6 h demonstrated that the contraction amplitude and frequency of spontaneous activity were relatively insensitive to anoxia, but that the sensitivity to HS was similar to that seen in field-stimulated muscle (Kd=2.7-32 mmol l-1). The toxic effects of HS were reversible, with almost complete recovery under anoxic conditions within the first hour. These data indicate that HS at millimolar concentrations can directly inhibit muscle contraction. Although the mechanism of this action is unknown, it does not appear to involve metabolic pathways or oxygen transport.
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This article has been cited by other articles:


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 Biol. Bull.Home page
D. Julian, J. Statile, T. A. Roepke, and A. J. Arp
Sodium Nitroprusside Potentiates Hydrogen-Sulfide-Induced Contractions in Body Wall Muscle From a Marine Worm
Biol. Bull., August 1, 2005; 209(1): 6 - 10.
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