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Cnidocytes and adjacent supporting cells form receptor-effector complexes in anemone tentacles
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California 92350 U.S.A.
Tissue & Cell
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Cnidocytes use supporting cells to regulate stinging cell (nematocyst) discharge. Mucin-gold binding to supporting cells sensitizes cnidocytes, suggesting a receptor-effector complex controls this process.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Zoology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cnidarians possess specialized stinging cells called cnidocytes.
- Cnidocytes discharge intracellular capsules (nematocysts) upon physical and chemical stimulation.
- Chemoreceptors on cnidocytes bind N-acetylated sugars and amino compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of supporting cells in cnidocyte discharge.
- To determine if mucin-gold binding influences cnidocyte responsiveness.
- To elucidate the mechanism of mucin-gold internalization and removal by supporting cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized colloidal gold coated with bovine submaxillary mucin (mucin-gold) as a probe.
- Observed mucin-gold binding to supporting cells surrounding cnidocytes.
- Quantified mucin-gold particles and correlated their presence with cnidocyte discharge rates.
- Investigated the endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of mucin-gold.
Main Results:
- Mucin-gold binds to the surface of supporting cells adjacent to cnidocytes.
- Mucin-gold sensitizes cnidocytes to discharge nematocysts in a dose-dependent manner.
- Changes in mucin-gold particle numbers on supporting cells correlate with cnidocyte responsiveness over time.
- Endocytosed mucin-gold is processed via multivesicular bodies, with a novel pathway for removal at the cell surface, bypassing lysosomes.
Conclusions:
- Cnidocytes and surrounding supporting cells form a functional receptor-effector complex.
- The discharge of nematocysts is likely regulated by receptor-ligand interactions on supporting cells.
- Supporting cells employ a unique mechanism for clearing endocytosed material via multivesicular bodies.
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