Factors Influencing Motile Activities of Fish Chromatophores

Fujii, Ryozo; Oshima, Nobuyuki

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-78598-6_1

Cited by 56 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 103 publications

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“…In some experiments, a K + -rich saline solution was employed to stimulate nerves, because the elevation of K + concentration in the extracellular space is known to act as a sympathetic stimulant via release of catecholaminergic neurotransmitter in common teleosts (Fujii, 1959(Fujii, , 1993Fujii and Oshima, 1994) or of acetylcholine in silurid catfishes, including the translucent glass catfish (Kasukawa and Fujii, 1984). In the present experiments, saline containing 50 mM K + ions was used for this purpose, and the Na + concentration described for the standard saline were compensatorily decreased so that the final osmolarity remained constant.…”

Section: Nervous Stimulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Possible Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Signaling Pigment Dispersion in Teleostean Melanophores

Hayashi

Fujii

2001

Zoological Science

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Section: Nervous Stimulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Possible Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Signaling Pigment Dispersion in Teleostean Melanophores

Hayashi

Fujii

2001

Zoological Science

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“…Changes in the hue or in the color pattern of poikilothermic vertebrates are due either to the motile activities of specialized integumentary colored cells, termed chromatophores ('physiological color change'), or to the increase or decrease in the number of those cells, or more correctly, in the net amount of pigmentary materials within chromatophores ('morphological color change'). In general, a physiological color change signifies a rapid alteration in skin color and shade, manifested as pigment aggregation or dispersion within stellate shaped chromatophores (1)(2)(3). In some teleostean species, non-dendritic motile iridophores, which are light-reflecting chromatophores, play a leading role in their fascinating color changes (4 -6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct Reception of Light by Chromatophores of Lower Vertebrates

Oshima

2001

Pigment Cell Research

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Rapid color changes of lower vertebrates are caused by the motile activities of pigment cells (chromatophores) present in the skin tissue. Chromatophore motility is generally regulated by neural and/or by endocrine systems. However, in some cases, light also induces pigment aggregation or dispersion directly, which suggests the existence of visual pigments in chromatophores. In fact, some opsins, including melanopsin, have been identified. This article reviews light‐sensitive chromatophores of lower vertebrates. Photoreceptive molecules (visual pigments) and signal transduction of light via a GTP‐binding protein (G protein) are also discussed.

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“…Besides catecholamines, the role of other neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine has also been quite significant in pigment translocation. It is quite apparent that the color-changing phenomenon is under neuronal or hormonal control or the cumulative action of both [13,[22][23][24][25]. In view of this, the responses of melanophores and melanocytes to various neurotransmitters and biogenic amines and compounds have been analyzed, and it has been confirmed that the effector cells contain several types of receptor for different neurotransmitters and hormones.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertebrate melanophores as potential model for drug discovery and development: A review

Salim¹,

Ali²

2011

Cellular and Molecular Biology Letters

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Drug discovery in skin pharmacotherapy is an enormous, continually expanding field. Researchers are developing novel and sensitive pharmaceutical products and drugs that target specific receptors to elicit concerted and appropriate responses. The pigment-bearing cells called melanophores have a significant contribution to make in this field. Melanophores, which contain the dark brown or black pigment melanin, constitute an important class of chromatophores. They are highly specialized in the bidirectional and coordinated translocation of pigment granules when given an appropriate stimulus. The pigment granules can be stimulated to undergo rapid dispersion throughout the melanophores, making the cell appear dark, or to aggregate at the center, making the cell appear light. The major signals involved in pigment transport within the melanophores are dependent on a special class of cell surface receptors called G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Many of these receptors of adrenaline, acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, endothelin and melatonin have been found on melanophores. They are believed to have clinical relevance to skin-related ailments and therefore have become targets for high throughput screening projects. The selective screening of these receptors requires the recognition of particular ligands, agonists and antagonists and the characterization of their effects on pigment motility within the cells. The mechanism of skin pigmentation is incredibly intricate, but it would be a considerable step forward to unravel its underlying physiological mechanism. This would provide an experimental basis for new pharmacotherapies for dermatological anomalies.

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Factors Influencing Motile Activities of Fish Chromatophores

Cited by 56 publications

References 103 publications

Possible Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Signaling Pigment Dispersion in Teleostean Melanophores

Possible Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Signaling Pigment Dispersion in Teleostean Melanophores

Direct Reception of Light by Chromatophores of Lower Vertebrates

Vertebrate melanophores as potential model for drug discovery and development: A review

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