Contractile activation in myotomes from developing larvae of Xenopus laevis

Contractile activation in response to application of different perfusing solutions was observed in developing myotomes from larvae of Xenopus laevis. Contractures resulted from treatment with isotonic solutions containing high K+ concentrations in myotomes from embryos from stage 24 onwards. These developed over 5-10 s and inactivated over 20-30 s. Contractures persisted in curarized preparations. The applied K+ concentrations at the estimated mechanical threshold in embryos at stages 26 and 34 were about 30 and 20 mM respectively. Maximum activity was achieved at K+ concentrations of 78 and 48 mM respectively. The lyotropic ion thiocyanate (10 mM) potentiated K+ contractures, and shifted the threshold K+ concentration to lower values. Contractures persisted in the presence of 3 mM-Mn2+ and in Ca2+-free solutions, with unaltered mechanical thresholds. K+ contractures were reversibly abolished by 2 mM-tetracaine. Comparisons of resting potentials in 3 and 20 mM-K+ confirmed that the resting potential remained sensitive to external K+ concentration, whether in control, tetracaine-containing, or low-Ca2+ bathing solutions. Caffeine (10-20 mM) caused sustained contractures from stage 24 onwards. Caffeine sensitivity was greatest at stages 26-28, then appeared to decline at stages 33-36. These observations suggest that mechanisms for excitation-contraction coupling develop in Xenopus embryos at the same time as do completed sarcomeres, close to stage 24. Activation of contraction then assumes the adult pattern, involving voltage-dependent release of the intracellular store of activator, independent of entry of extracellular Ca2+.