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Related Experiment Videos

No junctional communication between epithelial cells in hydra

S W de Laat, L G Tertoolen, C J Grimmelikhuijzen

    Nature
    |December 25, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary

    Hydra epithelial cells do not communicate via gap junctions. This study found no evidence of electrotonic coupling or small molecule exchange between these cells, challenging previous assumptions about hydra morphogenesis.

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    Area of Science:

    • Developmental Biology
    • Cell Biology
    • Hydra Research

    Background:

    • Morphogenesis in Hydra is thought to be controlled by morphogen diffusion gradients.
    • Morphogenetic substances with low molecular weight (MW) suggest potential passage through gap junctions.
    • Gap junctions have been reported between Hydra epithelial cells, but their communicative function for small molecules remains unconfirmed.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the communicative properties of gap junctions between Hydra epithelial cells.
    • To determine if small molecules can be exchanged between these cells via junctional membranes.

    Main Methods:

    • Electrophysiological methods to detect electrotonic coupling.
    • Intracellular-dye iontophoresis to assess the exchange of low-molecular weight fluorescent dyes.

    Main Results:

    • No electrotonic coupling was detected between epithelial cells in intact Hydra attenuata.
    • Lack of detectable coupling was observed in regenerating animals, cell re-aggregates, and nerve-free hydra.
    • Epithelial cells demonstrated an inability to exchange low-molecular weight fluorescent dyes.

    Conclusions:

    • Hydra epithelial cells do not appear to communicate through gap junctions.
    • The absence of electrotonic coupling and dye transfer suggests these junctions do not facilitate small molecule exchange in Hydra.
    • These findings necessitate a re-evaluation of the role of gap junction-mediated communication in Hydra morphogenesis.

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