Biomaterial Database

Sensitivity of an insect mechanoreceptor after destruction of dendritic microtubules by means of vinblastine. 1983

G Erler

Microtubules (Mt) are present in the modified cilium of epithelial mechanoreceptors of insects in three different arrangements: (1) 9 doublet Mt in the proximal region of the outer segment, (2) densely packed, interconnected Mt of the tubular body in the dendritic tip receiving the adequate stimuli, and (3) Mt between ciliary neck and tubular body, which are not fixed in a special configuration and therefore called free Mt. The free Mt are considered by some authors to be elements of intracellular signal transmission. This hypothesis was examined by electrophysiological and morphological studies on a tibial hair-mechanoreceptor of a cricket (Acheta domesticus). Exposure of the receptor from the apical side to vinblastine disassembled the free Mt within 2 to 4 h, while Mt of the tubular body were only little affected during this time interval. In this state of Mt disassembly (up to 7 h of application) mechanosensitivity of the receptor is only slightly reduced or not at all. The pacemaker property of the dendrite for nerve impulse is also preserved. It is concluded that the free Mt are not elements of intracellular signal transmission and are not directly involved in mechanotransduction.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008465	Mechanoreceptors	Cells specialized to transduce mechanical stimuli and relay that information centrally in the nervous system. Mechanoreceptor cells include the INNER EAR hair cells, which mediate hearing and balance, and the various somatosensory receptors, often with non-neural accessory structures.	Golgi Tendon Organ,Golgi Tendon Organs,Krause's End Bulb,Krause's End Bulbs,Mechanoreceptor,Mechanoreceptor Cell,Meissner's Corpuscle,Neurotendinous Spindle,Neurotendinous Spindles,Receptors, Stretch,Ruffini's Corpuscle,Ruffini's Corpuscles,Stretch Receptor,Stretch Receptors,Mechanoreceptor Cells,Bulb, Krause's End,Bulbs, Krause's End,Cell, Mechanoreceptor,Cells, Mechanoreceptor,Corpuscle, Meissner's,Corpuscle, Ruffini's,Corpuscles, Ruffini's,End Bulb, Krause's,End Bulbs, Krause's,Krause End Bulb,Krause End Bulbs,Krauses End Bulb,Krauses End Bulbs,Meissner Corpuscle,Meissners Corpuscle,Organ, Golgi Tendon,Organs, Golgi Tendon,Receptor, Stretch,Ruffini Corpuscle,Ruffini Corpuscles,Ruffinis Corpuscle,Ruffinis Corpuscles,Spindle, Neurotendinous,Spindles, Neurotendinous,Tendon Organ, Golgi,Tendon Organs, Golgi
D008870	Microtubules	Slender, cylindrical filaments found in the cytoskeleton of plant and animal cells. They are composed of the protein TUBULIN and are influenced by TUBULIN MODULATORS.	Microtubule
D009987	Orthoptera	An order of insects comprising two suborders: Caelifera and Ensifera. They consist of GRASSHOPPERS, locusts, and crickets (GRYLLIDAE).	Caelifera,Ensifera,Caeliferas,Ensiferas,Orthopteras
D003712	Dendrites	Extensions of the nerve cell body. They are short and branched and receive stimuli from other NEURONS.	Dendrite
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014747	Vinblastine	Antitumor alkaloid isolated from Vinca rosea. (Merck, 11th ed.)	Vincaleukoblastine,Cellblastin,Lemblastine,Velban,Velbe,Vinblastin Hexal,Vinblastina Lilly,Vinblastine Sulfate,Vinblastinsulfat-Gry,Sulfate, Vinblastine