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2002 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

Peripheral neuronal mechanisms for control of the gill movements in Aplysia

Research Project

Project/Area Number 11168225
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas (A)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Review Section Biological Sciences
Research InstitutionTokyo Metropolitan University

Principal Investigator

KUROKAWA Makoto  Biological Sciences, Associate Professor, 理学研究科, 助教授 (50211222)

Project Period (FY) 1999 – 2001
KeywordsAplysia / Gill movement / L7 / Branchial ganglion / Abdominal ganglion / Peripheral nervous system / Serotonin / Anti-L7
Research Abstract

L7 is a gill motor neuron which drives gill longitudinal shortening in Aplysia californica, A. kurodai, and A. juliana. We have identified a neuron in the right hemisphere of the abdominal ganglion, referred to as Arti-L7, which opposes L7-driven longitudinal shortening in the species. Anti-L7 did not block the generation of L7 impulses within the abdominal ganglion but apparently opposed L7-driven longitudinal shortening at the periphery of the gill. The spontaneous firing rate of Anti-L7 impulses was in a range below about 5 Hz. The suppression of L7-driven longitudinal shortening was dependent on the firing rate of Anti-L7. The threshold firing rate of Anti-L7 impulses for the suppressive effect was less than 0.5 Hz. In response to electrical stimulus pulses applied to the pleuro-abdominal connective, the impulse firing of Anti-L7 was suppressed, while a long-lasting hyperpolarizing potential occurred in the neuron. The suppression continued for several minutes even after the stimulation ceased. During the suppression, the L7-driven longitudinal shortening of the gill and gill movements induced by stimulation of the siphon nerve were potentiated. The results may show that sensitization of the gill withdrawal reflex is, at least in part, attributable to suppression of Anti-L7 activity.
Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that Anti-L7 shows serotonin-immunoreactivity. The location, the serotonin immunoreactivity and the electrophysiological properties of Anti-L7 indicate that it is identical to a member of the RB neuron cluster known in A. californica. In the gill, serotonin-immunoreactive neural processes were observed for muscle cells, branchial-ganglionic neurons and plexus neurons. These sites may be involved as loci of mechanisms for antagonistic action of Anti-L7 on L7-induced gill movements.

  • Research Products

    (10 results)

All Other

All Publications (10 results)

  • [Publications] T.Matsushita, K., Kuwasawa, K., Uchimura, H.Ai, M.Kurokawa: "Neurohumors involved in neural mechanisms for heartbeat reversal in the Lepidopteran insects, Agrius convolvuli and Bombyx mori"Comp.Biochem.Physiol.A. 133A. 625-636 (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] S.Chiken, K.Kuwasawa, M.Kurokawa, K.Ohsuga: "Amino acid-induced reflexes and their neural pathways in a opisthobranch molluisc Pleurobranchaea japonica"Zool.Sci.. 18. 465-473 (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] K.Ohsuga, M.Kurokawa, K.Kuwasawa: "Mosaic arrangement of SCP-B-, FMRFamide-and histamine-like immunoreactive sensory hair cells in the statocyst of the gastropod mollusc, Pleurobranchaea japonica"Cell Tissue Res.. 300. 165-172 (2000)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] S.Matsumura, M.Kurokawa, K.Kuwasawa, R.B.Hill, K.Ohsuga: "Serotonergic control of the heart and pericardium in the chiton Acanthopleura japonica"Comp.Biochem.Physiol.124A. 124A. 561-567 (1999)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] M.Kurokawa, K.Kuwasawa, S.Matsumura: "Identification of an abdominal ganglion neuron antagonizing L7-driven gill contraction in Aplysia"J.Comp.Physiol.A. 185. 11-19 (1999)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] T. Matsushita, K. Kuwasawa, K. Uchimura, H. Ai and M. Kurokawa.: "Biogenic amines evoke heartbeat reversal in larvae of the sweet potato hornworm, Agrius convolvuli"Comp. Biochem. Physiol.. 133A. 625-636 (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] S. Chiken, K. Kuwasawa, M. Kurokawa and K. Ohsuga.: "Amino acid-induced reflexes and their neural pathways in a opisthobranch molluisc Pleurobranchaea japonica"Zool. Sci.. 18. 465-473 (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] K. Ohsuga, M. Kurokawa and K. Kuwasawa: "Mosaic arrangement of SCP-B-, FMRFamide- and histamine-like immunoreactive sensory hair cells in the statocyst of the gastropod mollusc, Pleurobranchaea japonica"Cell Tisuue Res.. 300. 165-172 (2000)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] S. Matsumura, M. Kurokawa, K. Kuwasawa, R. B. Hill and K. Ohsuga: "Serotonergic control of the heart and pericardium in the chiton Acanthopleura japonica"Comp. Biochem. Physiol.. 124A. 561-567 (1999)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] M. Kurokowa, K. Kuwasowa and S. Matsumura: "Identification of an abdominal ganglion neuron antagonizing L7-driven gill contraction in Aplysia"J. Comp. Physiol. A. 185. 11-19 (1999)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より

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Published: 2004-04-14  

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