Electron transport in eggs, developing embryos and adult tissues of Spisula solidissima

Abstract

It has been shown, by both spectroscopic and enzymatic assays, that a number of tissues from certain marine molluscs contain cytochromes similar to the cytochrome components of the terminal electron transport pathway of mammals (Ball and Myerhof, '40; '57; Kawai, '59; Tappel, '60). Quantitative assays of the rate of oxygen consumption of whole eggs and developing embryos of the surf clam, Spisula solidissima, (Sclufer, '55) have also indicated that these marine eggs have an appreciable respiratory rate which is approximately doubled in 6-hour-old developing embryos. The purpose of the present study was to examine, in more detail, the terminal electron transport pathway in eggs, developing embryos and adult tissues of Spisula solidissima, and to determine whether or not qualitative or quantitative changes occur in this system of enzymes during embryonic differentiation. These experiments indicate that eggs, embryos and adult tissues of Spisula contain cellular particles resembling mitochondria in their terminal electron transport pathway. In addition, a second particulate fraction, which resembles liver microsomes in its oxidative enzyme pattern and absorption spectrum, has been isolated from unfertilized Spisula eggs. No qualitative or marked quantitative changes in the pattern of terminal electron transport has been observed during early embryonic differentiation, but adult heart muscle appeared to differ significantly from cggs and developing embryos in its succinic dehydrogenase activity and cytochrome complement. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDUREThe experiments described below were carried out with Spisula solidissima collected during the summer months in the Woads Hole area. Eggs were harvested from Spisula ovaries and washed 6 or 7 times with approximately 200 ml of freshly filtered sea water. In each washing the eggs were allowed to settle through a 4 to 5 cm depth of sea water for 10 minutes and the sea water and immature eggs were then siphoned off. The washed egg volume was determined by centrifuging the eggs for 30 seconds at 1000 X g. For fertilization, the eggs were suspended in 100 volumes of sea water in wide finger bowls approximately 4 to 5 cm deep and 10 to 12 cm in diameter. From 0.4 to 0.8 ml of a 1 to 50 dilution of concentrated fresh sperm in sea water was added dropwise to each 200 ml of egg suspension with vigorous stirring to give a slight excess of active sperm over eggs. By this procedure 95 to 100% nuclear breakdown and from 75 to 95% synchronous division were usually achieved as described by Allen ('53 ).For growth of embryos, the fertilized eggs were permitted to develop at 23" in filtered sea water, with changes of sea water at 15 minutes after fertilization and, for older embryos, again at 10 hours after lpreliminary reports of this work have appeared (Strittmatter and Strittmatter, '60; Strittmatter et al., '60).

Syntheses and properties of flavine-histidine peptides

“…Very little interaction apparently occurs between flavine and protonated histidine. The effects seen when temperature and solvent are varied seem to indicate that there Interactions of flavine coenzymes and aromatic molecules have been recognized for quite some time (Weber, 1950;Yagi et al, 1959;Strittmatter, 1961;McCormick et al, 1967).…”

Amino acid catabolism by ribbed mussel (Modiolus demissus) gill tissue: studies on isolated mitochondria and the L-amino acid oxidase

“…Williams 1956 (Mattisson, 196la;Zaba, 1983), and in some cases, abilities to accumulate unusual end-products (succinate, propionate, acetate, etc.) of anaerobic glycolysis that are identical to those accumulated by some helminths (see Saz, 1981;Kluytmans et al, 1975Kluytmans et al, , 1977Kluytmans et al, , 1978Zurburg and Kluytmans, 1980) (Strittmatter and Strittmatter, 1961;Tappel, 1960;Pablo and Tappel, 1961;Mattisson, 1959Mattisson, , 1961aMattisson and Birch-Andersen, 1962;Black, 1962a,b) are in agreement with the concept of a "normal" respiratory system.…”

Effect of Ethanol on the Growth and on the Liver and Brain Mitochondrial Functions of the Offspring of Rats

“…Ethanol in 15% ethanol solution, given to rats over a long period, influences liver mitochondria1 oxidation and adenosine triphosphatase activity (KIESSLING & TILANDER 1961, the thiamin and thiamin diphosphate level (KIESSLING & TILANDER 1960) and the size and shape of the liver mitochondria (KIESSLING & TOBB 1964;KIESSLING & PILSTROM 1966a& 1966b. Brain mitochondria from ethanol-treated rats do not show any change in respiration (KIESSLING & TILANDER 1963).…”