The cnidarian Hydra does not possess identified photoreceptive structures or specialized cells for light detection; nevertheless, it shows a marked photosensitivity. So far no evidence has been previously reported about the localization of the protein involved in the photoresponse. We used polyclonal antibodies and immunofluorescence microscopy on whole-mount Hydra to identify a putative rhodopsin-like protein. Our results show an immunoreactivity in the ectodermal layer of Hydra, which corresponds in position to the nervous epidermal sensory cells. These data provide the first identification of a rhodopsin-like protein in a phylogenetically old invertebrate and give a new insight into the Hydra photoreceptive response.
First identification and localization of a visual pigment in Hydra (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa)
Musio C;Santillo S;Barsanti L;Gualtieri P
2001
Abstract
The cnidarian Hydra does not possess identified photoreceptive structures or specialized cells for light detection; nevertheless, it shows a marked photosensitivity. So far no evidence has been previously reported about the localization of the protein involved in the photoresponse. We used polyclonal antibodies and immunofluorescence microscopy on whole-mount Hydra to identify a putative rhodopsin-like protein. Our results show an immunoreactivity in the ectodermal layer of Hydra, which corresponds in position to the nervous epidermal sensory cells. These data provide the first identification of a rhodopsin-like protein in a phylogenetically old invertebrate and give a new insight into the Hydra photoreceptive response.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.