H. Jarminowski et al., CALCIUM-ACCUMULATING ORGANELLES IN THE PHOTORECEPTOR CELLS OF THE CRAYFISH ORCONECTES-LIMOSUS, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. B. Comparative biochemistry, 105(2), 1993, pp. 389-394
1. By permeabilizing entire retinae with the saponin beta-escin and th
en loading the photoreceptor cells of the crayfish Orconectes limosus
with oxalate and ATP, we localized calcium-accumulating organelles. Th
e Ca-oxalate-deposits were identified with the electron microscope. 2.
The photoreceptor cells of crayfish contain three kinds of calcium-ac
cumulating organelles: submicrovillar cisternae, mitochondriae and ele
ctron dense pigment granules. 3. The submicrovillar cisternae appear t
ubelike and are less voluminous than those of other arthropods. 4. The
deposits found in the pigment granules support the hypothesis that th
ey are involved in calcium regulation. 5. The effect of beta-escin on
the electroretinogram was also tested. Beta-Escin causes a diminution
in the ERG-amplitude which stays stable for 1 hr.