Contraction wave in the chick blastoderm induced by muscarinic stimulation

Abstract

The mechanism of excitation contraction coupling during morphogenetic movements is unknown. We describe a contraction wave in the chick blastoderm after muscarinic stimulation, which indicates that an autocrine cholinergic mechanism might be involved in the induction of morphogenetic movements during embryogenesis. Chick blastoderms were explanted in a modified new culture and the cellular movements were recorded by time lapse video filming. Perfusion with acetylcholine or carbachol induced a contraction wave in the blastoderm which started in the periphery at the point of entrance of the drug, and proceeded within 8-10 min through the area pellucida to the opposite side of the blastoderm. Perfusion with the muscarinic antagonist pilocarpine in turn induced relaxation. Atropine inhibited the effect of the agonists acetylcholine and carbachol. From earlier studies we know that in the chick embryo a muscarinic system is present, the expression of which correlates with morphogenetic movements. The induction of a contraction wave in the chick blastoderm by muscarinic agonists supports our hypothesis that embryonic cell movements might be regulated via muscarinic receptors.

Experimental control of excitable embryonic tissues: three stimuli induce rapid epithelial contraction

“…The micro-aspiration technique is the best suited for biophysical and biomechanical studies, providing mechanical properties such as viscoelasticity of embryonic tissues and high-resolution kinematics of tissue responses to electrical stimulation. Electrically- and biochemically-induced contractions have been observed previously in chick embryos ([26, 27] and [28], respectively); however the combination of electrically induced contraction with micro-aspiration provides a novel tool for analyzing the mechanics of contractions.…”

Ca2+-Mobilization and Cell Contraction after Muscarinic Cholinergic Stimulation of the Chick Embryo Lens

“…In the chick blastoderm, perfusion with muscarinic agonists induced a contraction wave within 3 minutes. 21 Yamashita and Fukuda 22 described a contraction-like incurvation of the early embryonic retina after muscarinic stimulation. Perfusion of SK-Mel-28 melanoma cells with the muscarinic agonists acetylcholine and carbachol induced a retraction of cell membranes between focal adhesion points.…”

Surface and Spectroscopic Properties of Acetylcholinesterase Monolayer at the Air/Water Interface

“…However, noncholinergic Blodgett (LB) films will help to develop highly sensitive functions in the modulation of neuronal activity and in early sensors. This will lead to the development of suitable deconembryonic development may also depend on AChE catalytic tamination systems which are very important for the protecactivity (1)(2)(3)(4). AChE serves to catalyze the hydrolysis of tion of the environment and human health.…”