Hemocyanin and the branchial heart complex of Sepia officinalis : are the hemocytes involved in hemocyanin metabolism of coleoid cephalopods?

Abstract

Cytobiological experiments using isotopic- and cytochemical-labeled Sepia hemocyanin as well as immunocytochemical localization of the respiratory pigment were carried out to investigate the function of the hemocytes in hemocyanin metabolism of the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. For comparison, the rhogocytes (ovoid cells) of the branchial heart complex were included in this study. Hemocyanin molecules were immunocytochemically detected in the lysosomal compartment of the rhogocytes and, at lower levels, in adhesive and circulating hemocytes. (125)I-labeled Sepia hemocyanin was taken up by the rhogocytes only, whereas gold- and/or fluorescein-labeled Sepia hemocyanin was solely taken up by the adhesive and the circulating hemocytes, even though the level of uptake is different. There are also differences in the uptake of pure gold particles and/or fluorescein between rhogocytes and hemocytes. These findings give evidence that circulating and adhesive hemocytes of the branchial heart complex are not involved in hemocyanin turnover, but are a component of the cellular defense and detoxification system of adult coleoid cephalopods.

Trace element analysis reveals bioaccumulation in the squid Gonatus fabricii from polar regions of the Atlantic Ocean

“…Ommastrephes bartrami and Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis (Martin and Flegal, 1975) and are likely the result of the high bioaccumulation capacities of cephalopods for this metal (Bustamante et al, 2004). In concordance with our measured concentrations, elevated Ag concentrations have often been observed together with high Cu concentrations, which are required for hemocyanin synthesis (Beuerlein et al, 2002;Martin and Flegal, 1975). The concentrations measured in this study are comparable to concentrations measured in Architeuthis dux (Bustamante et al, 2008;Table 4).…”

Hemocyte morphology and phagocytic activity in the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)

“…TEM observations of phagocytosis conducted with plasma revealed a bead-coating by Hcy-like molecules (Fig. 8A-B) as previously suggested in cephalopods [82,98,110]. This observation could explain Hcy presence in Hc electron-lucent vesicles.…”

The lymphatic vascular system: much more than just a sewer

“…In crustaceans, infection induces the cleavage of hemocyanin into antibiotic peptides [ 184 ]. In cephalopods, hemocyanin binds to various particles and seems to act like an opsonizing agent that increases the activity of phagocytes [ 185 ].…”