Biomaterial Database

Ca2+-ions and pattern control in Hydra. 2002

Stefanie Zeretzke, and Fernando Pérez, and Kirsten Velden, and Stefan Berking

Zoological Institute, University of Cologne, Köln, Germany.

The fresh water polyp Hydraforms buds which develop a foot at their base and separate from the parent. In the strain H. vulgaris (Zürich), various compounds including phorbolesters, diacylglycerols, cantharidin and Li+-ions were found to prevent foot formation at the bud's base. Therewith, the bud transforms into a branch which persists at the parent. Other strains were found to be unaffected by such treatments. Here we show that a reduced Ca2+-ion concentration of the culture medium causes branch formation in the H. vulgaris (Zürich) strain but not in the other strains tested. However, all strains tested transformed their buds into branches when the medium was enriched with Ba2+ and Sr2+ ions. We suggest that the various treatments either reduce the internal concentration of Ca2+-ions by stimulating Ca2+-ion export or compete with Ca2+-ions at theirtarget. H. vulgaris (Zürich) isthe most sensitive strain tested and appears to have the most efficient Ca2+-pumps. This appears to be necessary forthese animals derived from a lake which is extremely rich in Ca2+ ions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007477	Ions	An atom or group of atoms that have a positive or negative electric charge due to a gain (negative charge) or loss (positive charge) of one or more electrons. Atoms with a positive charge are known as CATIONS; those with a negative charge are ANIONS.
D008094	Lithium	An element in the alkali metals family. It has the atomic symbol Li, atomic number 3, and atomic weight [6.938; 6.997]. Salts of lithium are used in treating BIPOLAR DISORDER.	Lithium-7,Lithium 7
D008274	Magnesium	A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and atomic weight 24.31. It is important for the activity of many enzymes, especially those involved in OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION.
D010544	Peroxidases		Ovoperoxidase
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002193	Cantharidin	A toxic compound, isolated from the Spanish fly or blistering beetle (Lytta (Cantharis) vesicatoria) and other insects. It is a potent and specific inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A). This compound can produce severe skin inflammation, and is extremely toxic if ingested orally.	Cantharides,Cantharidine
D002273	Carcinogens	Substances that increase the risk of NEOPLASMS in humans or animals. Both genotoxic chemicals, which affect DNA directly, and nongenotoxic chemicals, which induce neoplasms by other mechanism, are included.	Carcinogen,Oncogen,Oncogens,Tumor Initiator,Tumor Initiators,Tumor Promoter,Tumor Promoters,Initiator, Tumor,Initiators, Tumor,Promoter, Tumor,Promoters, Tumor
D003470	Culture Media	Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN.	Media, Culture
D004121	Dimethyl Sulfoxide	A highly polar organic liquid, that is used widely as a chemical solvent. Because of its ability to penetrate biological membranes, it is used as a vehicle for topical application of pharmaceuticals. It is also used to protect tissue during CRYOPRESERVATION. Dimethyl sulfoxide shows a range of pharmacological activity including analgesia and anti-inflammation.	DMSO,Dimethyl Sulphoxide,Dimethylsulfoxide,Dimethylsulphinyl,Dimethylsulphoxide,Dimexide,Rheumabene,Rimso,Rimso 100,Rimso-50,Sclerosol,Sulfinylbis(methane),Rimso 50,Rimso50,Sulfoxide, Dimethyl,Sulphoxide, Dimethyl