Article (Scientific journals)
Fine structure of the luminous spines and luciferase detection in the brittle star Amphiura filiformis
Delroisse, Jérôme; Ullrich-Lüter, Esther; Blaue, Stefanie et al.
2017In Zoologischer Anzeiger, 269, p. 1-12
Peer reviewed
 

Files


Full Text
1-s2.0-S0044523117300402-main.pdf
Publisher postprint (6.67 MB)
Request a copy

All documents in ORBi UMONS are protected by a user license.

Send to



Details



Abstract :
[en] Amphiura filiformis is a common burrowing brittle star from muddy environments along the European shores. This species emits a blue light at the level of the arm spine tips when mechanically stimulated. Although the putative luciferase of A. filiformis was recently discovered, the ultrastructure of the luminous cells, i.e. the photocytes, remain unknown for this species as well as for most other bioluminescent echinoderms. In this study, we describe the morphology of the arm and spines in the brittle star A. filiformis and compare it to the luciferase expression pattern revealed by immunohistochemistry. Luciferase is expressed at the base of the spine and at the arm tips within well-defined photocyte clusters. Additionally, we investigated the ultrastructure of spine tissues before and after chemical stimulation of light emission in order to identify photocytes and improve our comprehension of the photogenesis phenomenon in brittle stars. Type II granular cells, found in the basal to mid-basal portion of the spine inner tissues and showing ultrastructural modifications during light-emission, are proposed as photocytes. Putative photocytes appear intimately associated with the spine nerve plexus as well as with mucus cells and presumptive pigment cells. Photocytes are characterised by the presence of specific vesicles with reticulated contents in their cytoplasm. Furthermore, the structure of the calcified spine ossicle has been investigated using microCT scanning.
Research center :
BIOSYS - Biosys
Disciplines :
Architecture
Biotechnology
Phytobiology (plant sciences, forestry, mycology...)
Zoology
Author, co-author :
Delroisse, Jérôme  ;  Université de Mons > Faculté des Sciences > Biologie des Organismes Marins et Biomimétisme
Ullrich-Lüter, Esther
Blaue, Stefanie
Eeckhaut, Igor  ;  Université de Mons > Faculté des Sciences > Biologie des Organismes Marins et Biomimétisme
Flammang, Patrick  ;  Université de Mons > Faculté des Sciences > Service de Biologie des Organismes Marins et Biomimétisme
Mallefet, Jérôme
Language :
English
Title :
Fine structure of the luminous spines and luciferase detection in the brittle star Amphiura filiformis
Publication date :
24 May 2017
Journal title :
Zoologischer Anzeiger
ISSN :
0044-5231
Publisher :
Elsevier, Netherlands
Volume :
269
Pages :
1-12
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Research unit :
S864 - Biologie des Organismes Marins et Biomimétisme
Research institute :
R100 - Institut des Biosciences
Available on ORBi UMONS :
since 13 January 2017

Statistics


Number of views
10 (1 by UMONS)
Number of downloads
0 (0 by UMONS)

Scopus citations®
 
12
Scopus citations®
without self-citations
2
OpenCitations
 
11

Bibliography


Similar publications



Contact ORBi UMONS