Retinoic acid as a chemoattractant for cultured embryonic spinal cord neurons of the African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. 653-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.D. Rand ◽  
G.E. Spencer ◽  
R.L. Carlone
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Neurite Outgrowth ◽  
Growth Cone ◽  
Receptor Subtype ◽  
Spinal Cord Neurons ◽  
African Clawed Frog ◽  
Embryonic Spinal Cord ◽  
Clawed Frog

Retinoic acid (RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, is important for neural development and regeneration and can induce neurite outgrowth. It may also act as a guidance molecule by attracting neurite processes during outgrowth. In the African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis (Daudin, 1802)), RA has been shown to play an important role in the development of the anterior–posterior axis. However, whether RA can act as a trophic or tropic molecule on embryonic neurons of this species has not been determined. In this study, we investigated the effects of two retinoid isomers, all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) and 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cisRA), on cultured embryonic spinal cord neurons of X. laevis. Both isomers significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth compared with the vehicle control. In addition, atRA induced growth cone turning, which was blocked with a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist, selective for the β receptor subtype. Immunostaining also revealed RAR immunoreactivity in the neurites and growth cones of these cells. Interestingly, the 9-cisRA isomer also induced significant growth cone turning and this response was inhibited by a retinoid X receptor (RXR) pan-antagonist. Overall, we have provided evidence for both trophic and chemotropic actions of two naturally occurring retinoid isomers on Xenopus embryonic spinal cord neurons in culture.

Effect of retinoic acid on limb regeneration in Xenopus laevis

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (12) ◽  
pp. 2698-2702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Scadding
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Limb Regeneration ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
African Clawed Frog ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
Aquarium Water ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Clawed Frog

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of retinoic acid on the process of limb regeneration in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. Limbs were bilaterally amputated through the radio-ulna and then treated for 15 days with retinoic acid in the aquarium water, at 3, 15, or 75 IU/mL. The retinoic acid inhibited limb regeneration in a dose-dependent manner, reduced the length of the regenerates, and produced irregularities in the morphogenesis of the cartilage rod in the regenerate. The regenerated limbs were removed after 150 days by amputation through the humerus, and the limbs were again allowed to regenerate. In the retinoic acid treated animals, despite the fact that retinoic acid treatment had been discontinued over 4 months previously, limb regeneration was still inhibited. These results suggest that retinoic acid has a long-term effect on the treated animals.

scholarly journals Developmental changes of purinergic control of intestinal motor activity during metamorphosis in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (5) ◽  
pp. R1916-R1925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Sundqvist
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Motor Activity ◽  
Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Disulfonic Acid ◽  
Developmental Phase ◽  
African Clawed Frog ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Clawed Frog

Little is known about the purinergic regulation of intestinal motor activity in amphibians. Purinergic control of intestinal motility is subject to changes during development in mammals. The aim of this study was to investigate purinergic control of intestinal smooth muscle in the amphibian Xenopus laevis and explore possible changes in this system during the developmental phase of metamorphosis. Effects of purinergic compounds on mean force and contraction frequency in intestinal circular muscle strips from prometamorphic, metamorphic, and juvenile animals were investigated. Before metamorphosis, low concentrations of ATP reduced motor activity, whereas the effects were reversed at higher concentrations. ATP-induced relaxation was not inhibited by the P2-receptor antagonist pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulfonic acid (PPADS) but was blocked by the ecto-nucleotidase inhibitor 6- N, N-diethyl-d-β,γ-dibromomethylene ATP ( ARL67256 ), indicating that an ATP-derived metabolite mediated the relaxation response at this stage. Adenosine induced relaxation before, during, and after metamorphosis, which was blocked by the A1-receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX). The stable ATP-analog adenosine 5′-[γ-thio]-triphosphate (ATPγS) and 2-methylthioATP (2-MeSATP) elicited contractions in the circular muscle strips in prometamorphic tadpoles. However, in juvenile froglets, 2-MeSATP caused relaxation, as did ATPγS at low concentrations. The P2Y11/P2X1-receptor antagonist NF157 antagonized the ATPγS-induced relaxation. The P2X-preferring agonist α-β-methyleneadenosine 5′-triphosphate (α-β-MeATP) evoked PPADS-sensitive increases in mean force at all stages investigated. This study demonstrates the existence of an adenosine A1-like receptor mediating relaxation and a P2X-like receptor mediating contraction in the X. laevis gut before, during, and after metamorphosis. Furthermore, the development of a P2Y11-like receptor-mediated relaxation during metamorphosis is shown.

scholarly journals Toxic effects of carbendazim andn-butyl isocyanate, metabolites of the fungicide benomyl, on early development in the African clawed frog,Xenopus laevis

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Sik Yoon ◽  
Jung-Hyo Jin ◽  
Joo-Hung Park ◽  
Chang-Yeol Yeo ◽  
Song-Ja Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
African Clawed Frog ◽  
Clawed Frog

scholarly journals First parasitological study of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis, Amphibia) in Chile

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristóbal Castillo ◽  
Gabriel Lobos ◽  
Daniel González-Acuña ◽  
Lucila Moreno ◽  
Cynthya Elizabeth González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Introduced Species ◽  
Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽  
First Record ◽  
Central Chile ◽  
African Clawed Frog ◽  
Parasite Richness ◽  
Native Birds ◽  
Clawed Frog ◽  
Parasitological Study

Abstract Introduced species can arrive into new territories with parasites; however, these species are expected to face lower parasite richness than in their original regions. Both introduced hosts and parasites can affect native fauna. Since their release into the wild in Chile following laboratory use, Xenopus laevis Daudin, 1802 has widely spread throughout central Chile. The only pathogen described on the host is the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Longcore, Pessier, Nichols, 1999; thus, this is the first parasitological study of this species in Chile. In 10 localities in central Chile, 179 specimens of X. laevis were captured and examined for parasites in the gastrointestinal tube, cavities, lungs, liver, and skin. Only nine specimens of the genus Contracaecum Railliet, Henry, 1912 were found in six specimens of X. laevis from a private dam in La Patagua. It is likely that these parasites originated from species of native birds. This is the first record of Contracaecum sp. in Chilean amphibians.

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