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Cholinergic regulation of body-wall muscle contraction of the ascidian Styela rustica (Linnaeus, 1767)

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Abstract

The regulation of body-wall muscle contraction in the ascidian Styela rustica was studied. Acetylcholine (ACh, 1–10 μM) induced a significant contraction of isolated muscle strips. The ACh-induced contractile response was potentiated and prolonged in the presence of proserine (15 μM), which confirms acetylcholinesterase activity in the S. rustica body-wall muscle. Atropine (1–100 μM, M-cholinoreceptor blocker) did not prevent the ACh-induced contractile response, while d-tubocurarine (1–100 μM, N-cholinoreceptor blocker) progressively reduced muscle contraction induced by 10 μM ACh. Thus, neuromuscular transmission in the S. rustica body-wall muscle is mediated by nicotinic-like ACh-receptors. Procaine reduced ACh-induced (10 μM) muscle contraction. As well, our experiments showed spontaneous rhythmic contractile activity in isolated muscle strips of S. rustica. Atropine, d-tubocurarine, procaine, and proserine did not alter rhythmic activity. Myogenic automaticity is suggested as a possible cause of the rhythmic contraction of the ascidian body-wall muscle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia

    V. S. Kuzmin, E. V. Volkova & G. S. Sukhova

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  1. V. S. Kuzmin
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  2. E. V. Volkova
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  3. G. S. Sukhova
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Correspondence to V. S. Kuzmin.

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Original Russian Text © V.S. Kuzmin, E.V. Volkova, G.S. Sukhova, 2012, published in Biologiya Morya.

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Kuzmin, V.S., Volkova, E.V. & Sukhova, G.S. Cholinergic regulation of body-wall muscle contraction of the ascidian Styela rustica (Linnaeus, 1767). Russ J Mar Biol 38, 226–234 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1134/S106307401203008X

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