Nematocysts are the nonliving secretions of specialized cells, the nematocytes, which develop from multipotent stem cells. Nematocysts are the means by which coelenterates capture prey and defend against predation. The 25 or more known types of nematocysts can be divided into to four functional categories: those that pierce, ensnare, or adhere to prey, and those that adhere to the substrate. During development a collagenous cyst, which may contain toxins, forms; a hollow thread, which becomes coiled as it invaginates, develops. Maturing nematocytenematocyst complexes migrate to their discharge sites and are deployed in specific patterns. The mechanisms of pattern determination are not clear. Discharge of nematocysts appears to involve increases in intracapsular osmotic pressure consequent upon release of bound calcium within the capsule; the eversion of the filament may depend upon release of structural tension consequent upon a loss of zinc from the thread. Evidence exists that discharge is initiated as a calcium-dependent exocytosis, triggered by an electrical signal resulting from the transduction of mechanical stimuli received at the nematocyte's cnidocil. Chemical signals transduced in adjacent sensory cells alter the frequency response of the nematocyte. In opposition to the nematocyte-nematocyst independent effector hypothesis, excitatory and inhibitory neuronal input appears to regulate discharge.Résumé : Les nématocystes sont des sécrétions non vivantes produites par des cellules spécialisées, les nématocytes, qui proviennent de cellules souches multipotentes. Chez les coelentérés, les nématocystes servent à la capture des proies et sont des armes de défense contre les prédateurs. Les quelque 25 types connus de nématocystes peuvent se diviser en quatre catégories fonctionnelles : ceux qui percent, ceux qui servent de pièges, ceux qui adhèrent aux proies et ceux qui adhèrent au substrat. Au cours du développement, il se forme un kyste de collagène qui peut contenir des toxines; un fil creux se déploie en spirale en s'invaginant. Les complexes nématocytes-nématocystes migrent vers leur site de vidange et ils sont disposés selon un arrangement particulier. Les mécanismes qui régissent cet arrangement sont mal connus. L'expulsion des nématocystes semble se faire par augmentation de la pression osmotique intra-capsulaire consécutive à la libération du calcium lié dans la capsule; l'évagination du filament peut dépendre du relâchement de la tension structurale qui se produit lors de la perte du zinc du filament. Il semble, d'après certains indices, que l'expulsion des nématocystes soit d'abord une exocytose dépendant du calcium, un processus déclenché par un signal électrique résultant de la transduction de stimulus mécaniques perçus au niveau du cnidocil du nématocyte. Les stimulus chimiques modifiés par transduction dans des cellules sensorielles adjacentes modifient la fréquence de la réponse du nématocyte. En contrepartie de l'hypothèse d'un effecteur indépendant nématocyte-nématocyste, il faut envisager c...

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Ultrastructural and light microscopic observations on the organization of thick and thin regions of hydra's tentacles, made on serial sections and on whole fixed, plastic-embedded tentacles, reveal the existence of two levels of anatomical order in the tentacle ectoderm: (1) The battery-cell complex (BCC), composed of a single epitheliomuscular cell (EMC) and its content of enclosed nematocytes and neurons; and (2) the battery cell complex ring (BCC ring), an arrangement of 4 or more BCCs into larger units organized as rings around the circumference of the tentacle. All EMCs of the distal tentacle appear to contain batteries of nematocytes, and are, therefore, called "battery cells." Apart from battery cell complexes and migrating nematocytes, there are no other cell types in the tentacle ectoderm. Battery cells are composed of three distinct regions: the cell body, peripheral attenuated extensions and myonemes. Thick tentacle bands are composed of cell bodies, whereas thin bands are made up of attenuated extensions. Myonemes contribute to both thick and thin regions. It was confirmed that each battery cell has several myonemes, which appear to interdigitate with myonemes of other more proximal and distal battery cells, but not with battery cells of the same BCC ring. Nematocytes have several basal processes. Some processes insert between myonemes and contact the mesoglea; other processes insert into cuplike extensions of myonemes, and are connected to myonemal cups by desmosomal junctions. These observations are discussed in relation to mechanical and electrical aspects of tentacular contraction and bending.

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