Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Ambystoma”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1975

[Transplantation into the blastocoel of Pleurodeles waltlii Michah., of blastomers isolated from blocked blastulae obtained from interspecific nuclear transplants between Ambystoma mexicanum Shaw. and Ambystoma dumerilii Dugès (urodele amphibians)].

Ectodermic blastomeres from arrested nucleocytoplasmic blastulae obtained by nuclear graft between Ambystoma mexicanum (A. m.) and Ambystoma dumerilii (A. d.), are transplanted in the blastocoele of recipient Pleurodeles waltlii blastulae. Histo-autoradiographic analysis shows that hybrid cells have cellular affinities and multiplication capacities very different from normal Ambystoma mexicanum blastulae isolated cells. The possibility that a revitalisation of lethal blastomeres can occur should not be retained.

Ambystoma↗
PubMed1999

Cutaneous mastocytomas in the neotenic caudate amphibians Ambystoma mexicanum (axolotl) and Ambystoma tigrinum (tiger salamander).

Spontaneous mastocytomas studied in 18 axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) and six tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) were gray-white, uni- to multilobular cutaneous protrusions from 2 mm to 2 cm in diameter. Tumors were moderately cellular unencapsulated masses that usually infiltrated the dermis and hypodermis with the destruction of intervening tissues. Some tumors were invading superficial bundles of the underlying skeletal muscle. Tumors consisted of mitotically active cells derived from a single lineage but showing a range of differentiation. Immature cells had nearly smooth to lightly cleft or folded basophilic nuclei bordered by a band of cytoplasm with few cytoplasmic processes and containing a few small uniform eccentric granules. Mature cells had basophilic nuclei with deep clefts or folds and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm with multiple long intertwining cytoplasmic extensions packed with metachromatic granules. The axolotls were old individuals from an inbred laboratory colony. The tiger salamanders were wild animals from a single polluted pond. They could have been old and inbred. Both groups were neotenic. These are the first mastocytomas discovered in cold-blooded animals.

Ambystoma↗
PubMed1998

Impact of guthion on survival and growth of the frog Pseudacris regilla and the salamanders Ambystoma gracile and Ambystoma maculatum.

The effects of the insecticides Guthion (technical grade) and Guthion 2S (commercial formulation) on survival and growth of tadpoles of the Pacific treefrog Pseudacris regilla, and larvae of the Northwestern salamander Ambystoma gracile and the spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum were determined in continuous-flow exposures in the laboratory. Ninety-six-hour LC50 values were >3.6 mg/L for P. regilla with technical grade Guthion and 1.47 mg/L with the formulation Guthion 2S (measured as active ingredient Guthion). Ten-day LOAEL and NOAEL values based on length and weight for P. regilla with Guthion were 3.60 and 0.98 mg/L. LOAEL and NOAEL values based on length and weight for P. regilla with Guthion 2S were 0.17 and 0.07 mg/L. The 96-h LC50 for Guthion 2S was 1.67 and 1.90 mg/L for A. gracile and A. maculatum, respectively. LOAEL and NOAEL values based on length and weight for A. gracile with Guthion 2S were 0.22 and 0.10 mg/L; they were 0.11 and 0.03 mg/L for A. maculatum based on weight. These species are as similar in sensitivity as some fish species but are more tolerant to Guthion than most invertebrates.

Ambystoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Activities of protein synthesis during the development of lethal nucleocytoplasmic hybrids obtained by nuclear graft between Ambystoma mexicanum Shaw and Ambystoma dumerilii Duges (Amphibia, Urodeles)].

A comparative study of proteinograms and zymograms (LDH, MDH) has been carried out at different ontogenic stages, in Ambystoma mexicanum (A.m.), Ambystoma dumerilii (A.d.) and nucleocytoplasmic hybrids 2 n A.d/cytoplasm Am. It appears that 2 n A.d. nucleus, grafted in A.m. cytoplasm expresses only a part of its potentialities, which could account for lethality of the nucleocytoplasmic hybrids.

Ambystoma↗
PubMed2003

Color change and color-dependent behavior in response to predation risk in the salamander sister species Ambystoma barbouri and Ambystoma texanum.

Although many organisms show multiple types of trait responses to predation risk (e.g., shifts in behavior, morphology, color, chemistry or life history), relatively few studies have examined how prey integrate these multiple responses. We studied the joint expression of color and behavioral responses to predation risk in two sister species of salamander larvae that live in habitats with different selection pressures. We examined responses to predation risk in three situations that differed in availability of refuge and substrate color heterogeneity, and thus availability of behavioral options for reducing risk. Relative to Ambystoma texanum, A. barbouri larvae were darker in color and showed a greater range of color change. With no variation in background color or refuge available, both species exhibited color change to better match the available background. The degree of color change showed by both species, however, did not depend on predation risk. Given the option to choose between light and dark substrates, A. texanum exhibited behavioral background matching (i.e., they preferred substrates that matched their own body color), while A. barbouri's substrate preferences did not depend on their initial body color. Instead, A. barbouri responded to risk by showing a strong preference for dark substrates, followed by a change to a darker body color. With refuge available, A. texanum's refuge use was color-dependent; larvae that were well camouflaged spent less time in refuge. In contrast, A. barbouri showed strong refuge use in response to risk, regardless of their body color. Overall, these results reflect how conflicting selection pressures (predation risk, habitat ephemerality, risk of UV damage) and species differences in mean color and ability to change color can govern the interplay of complementary and compensatory behavioral and color responses to predation risk.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2006

Gene order data from a model amphibian (Ambystoma): new perspectives on vertebrate genome structure and evolution.

BACKGROUND: Because amphibians arise from a branch of the vertebrate evolutionary tree that is juxtaposed between fishes and amniotes, they provide important comparative perspective for reconstructing character changes that have occurred during vertebrate evolution. Here, we report the first comparative study of vertebrate genome structure that includes a representative amphibian. We used 491 transcribed sequences from a salamander (Ambystoma) genetic map and whole genome assemblies for human, mouse, rat, dog, chicken, zebrafish, and the freshwater pufferfish Tetraodon nigroviridis to compare gene orders and rearrangement rates. RESULTS: Ambystoma has experienced a rate of genome rearrangement that is substantially lower than mammalian species but similar to that of chicken and fish. Overall, we found greater conservation of genome structure between Ambystoma and tetrapod vertebrates, nevertheless, 57% of Ambystoma-fish orthologs are found in conserved syntenies of four or more genes. Comparisons between Ambystoma and amniotes reveal extensive conservation of segmental homology for 57% of the presumptive Ambystoma-amniote orthologs. CONCLUSION: Our analyses suggest relatively constant interchromosomal rearrangement rates from the euteleost ancestor to the origin of mammals and illustrate the utility of amphibian mapping data in establishing ancestral amniote and tetrapod gene orders. Comparisons between Ambystoma and amniotes reveal some of the key events that have structured the human genome since diversification of the ancestral amniote lineage.

Ambystoma↗
PubMed1987

Characterization of renal prolactin-binding sites of two amphibians (Ambystoma tigrinum and Rana catesbeiana) and a reptile (Pseudemys scripta elegans).

The specific binding of 125I-ovine prolactin (oPRL) to renal membrane preparations from Pseudemys scripta elegans, Ambystoma tigrinum, and Rana catesbeiana was characterized. All three membranes showed specific oPRL binding that was dependent upon time, temperature, pH, and membrane concentration. Scatchard analysis of the binding of 125I-oPRL revealed high-affinity sites with KA values of 2.1 X 10(10), 3.6 X 10(10), and 1.25 X 10(10) M-1 for kidney membranes of Pseudemys, Ambystoma, and Rana, respectively. In addition, there was a low-affinity site on the Ambystoma membranes. The binding capacities ranged from 31 to 70 fmol/mg of membrane protein. The hormonal specificity of these membranes was studied by competing increasing amounts of oPRL, human growth hormone (hGH) derived from recombinant DNA techniques, bovine (b) GH, and human placental lactogen (hPL) with 125I-oPRL. The oPRL standard and hGH were the most potent competitors in all three assays, although hGH was not as potent as the oPRL. Human PL was moderately active in the turtle kidney assay, weakly active in the Ambystoma radioreceptor assay, and inactive in the bullfrog assay. Bovine GH had low potency on the turtle membranes and was inactive in the amphibian assays. The results of these studies indicate that the characteristics of renal PRL receptors of Pseudemys, Ambystoma, and Rana are similar to those of lactogenic receptors throughout the vertebrates. In addition, these data provide evidence for the first time of renal PRL receptors in a reptile.

Ambystoma↗
PubMed2005

A comprehensive expressed sequence tag linkage map for tiger salamander and Mexican axolotl: enabling gene mapping and comparative genomics in Ambystoma.

Expressed sequence tag (EST) markers were developed for Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum (Eastern tiger salamander) and for A. mexicanum (Mexican axolotl) to generate the first comprehensive linkage map for these model amphibians. We identified 14 large linkage groups (125.5-836.7 cM) that presumably correspond to the 14 haploid chromosomes in the Ambystoma genome. The extent of genome coverage for these linkage groups is apparently high because the total map size (5251 cM) falls within the range of theoretical estimates and is consistent with independent empirical estimates. Unlike most vertebrate species, linkage map size in Ambystoma is not strongly correlated with chromosome arm number. Presumably, the large physical genome size ( approximately 30 Gbp) is a major determinant of map size in Ambystoma. To demonstrate the utility of this resource, we mapped the position of two historically significant A. mexicanum mutants, white and melanoid, and also met, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) that contributes to variation in metamorphic timing. This new collection of EST-based PCR markers will better enable the Ambystoma system by facilitating development of new molecular probes, and the linkage map will allow comparative studies of this important vertebrate group.

Ambystoma mexicanum↗
PubMed2000

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of the electrogenic Na/HCO(3) cotransporter in rat and ambystoma kidney.

Immunofluorescence analysis has revealed that electrogenic Na(+)/HCO(3)(-) (NBC1) is expressed in the proximal tubule of rat kidney and in the proximal and distal tubules of the salamander AMBYSTOMA: tigrinum kidney. The present study was undertaken to define the detailed subcellular localization of the NBC1 in rat and AMBYSTOMA: kidney using high-resolution immunoelectron microscopy. For this purpose, two rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against amino acids 928 to 1035 and amino acids 1021 to 1035 of the C-terminus of rat kidney (rkNBC1) were developed. The affinity-purified antibodies revealed a strong band of approximately 140 kD in immunoblots of membranes from rat kidney cortex but no signal in membranes isolated from outer and inner medulla. Deglycosylation reduced the apparent molecular weight to approximately 120 kD, corresponding to the predicted molecular weight. A similar but weaker band was also present in membranes isolated from the lateral part of Ambystoma: kidney. In rat kidney, immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of rkNBC1 in convoluted segments of the proximal tubules. In ultrathin cryosections or Lowicryl HM20 sections from rat kidney cortex, distinct immunogold labeling was associated with the basolateral plasma membrane of segments S1 and S2 of proximal tubules, whereas in S3 no labeling was observed. The labeling density was similar at the basal and lateral plasma membrane and was specifically associated with the inner surface of the membrane consistent with the internal position of the C-terminus of the transporter. In contrast, rkNBC1 was absent from the apical plasma membrane and not observed in intracellular vesicles, including those closely associated with basolateral plasma membrane. In Ambystoma: kidney, a weak labeling was present in the basolateral membrane of the proximal tubule and stronger labeling was observed in the late distal segment. The results demonstrate that rkNBC1 is expressed only in segment S1 and segment S2 of rat proximal tubule as well as Ambystoma: proximal and late distal tubule and that rkNBC1 is present in both basal and lateral plasma membranes and absent in intracellular vesicles of the apical plasma membrane.

Ambystoma↗
PubMed1983

Maturation of transplantation antigens in Ambystoma mexicanum.

Both juvenile (14-16 week) and adult (18 month) Ambystoma mexicanum reject skin allografts from adult Ambystoma more speedily than they reject such grafts from juvenile axolotls. Donor-specific histocompatibility antigen, prepared from splenocytes, is more effective in inhibiting adult host splenocyte migration when the antigen is prepared from spleen cells from adult, rather than from juvenile Ambystoma. The thymus is fully developed in juvenile Ambystoma, suggesting that the delayed kinetics of rejection of juvenile allografts reflects immaturity in the expression of histocompatibility antigens to donor skin cells.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Amiloride-sensitive apical membrane sodium channels of everted Ambystoma collecting tubule.

Patch clamp methods were used to characterize sodium channels on the apical membrane of Ambystoma distal nephron. The apical membranes were exposed by everting and perfusing initial collecting tubules in vitro. In cell-attached patches, we observed channels whose mean inward unitary current averaged 0.39 +/- 0.05 pA (9 patches). The conductance of these channels was 4.3 +/- 0.2 pS. The unitary current approached zero at a pipette voltage of -92 mV. When clamped at the membrane potential the channel expressed a relatively high open probability (0.46). These characteristics, together with observation that doses of 0.5 to 2 microM amiloride reversibly inhibited the channel activity, are consistent with the presence of the high amiloride affinity, high sodium selectivity channel reported for rat cortical collecting tubule and cultured epithelial cell lines. We used antisodium channel antibodies to identify biochemically the epithelial sodium channels in the distal nephron of Ambystoma. Polyclonal antisodium channel antibodies generated against purified bovine renal, high amiloride affinity epithelial sodium channel specifically recognized 110, 57, and 55 kDa polypeptides in Ambystoma and localized the channels to the apical membrane of the distal nephron. A polyclonal antibody generated against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminus of Apx, a protein associated with the high amiloride affinity epithelial sodium channel expressed in A6 cells, specifically recognized a 170 kDa polypeptide. These data corroborate that the apically restricted sodium channels in Ambystoma are similar to the high amiloride affinity, sodium selective channels expressed in both A6 cells and the mammalian kidney.

Ambystoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of hypoxia on embryonic development in two Ambystoma and two Rana species.

Oxygen available to amphibian embryos fluctuates widely and is often very low. We investigated the effects of oxygen partial pressure (1. 3-16.9 kPa) on embryonic development and hatching of two salamander (Ambystoma) and two frog (Rana) species. In Ambystoma, chronic hypoxia resulted in slowed development, delayed hatching, and embryos that were less developed at the time of hatching. Although hypoxia was not lethal to embryos, temporary developmental abnormalities were observed in Ambystoma at oxygen partial pressures of 3.8 kPa and below. Posthatching survival decreased below 3.3 kPa. In Rana, hypoxia did not affect developmental rate, presumably because hatching occurs at a very early stage of development relative to Ambystoma. However, Rana embryos hatched sooner in hypoxia than in normoxia, resulting in less developed embryos at the time of hatching. The results suggest that embryonic hypoxia may negatively affect survival and fitness in these species.

Ambystoma↗
PubMed1984

Difference of the in vivo responsiveness to thyrotropin stimulation between the neotenic and metamorphosed axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum: failure of prolactin to block the thyrotropin-induced thyroxine release.

Basal and TSH-induced plasma concentrations of T4 have been measured by radioimmunoassay in the neotenic and metamorphosed male axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum both before and after an ovine prolactin pretreatment. All injections are made into the vena abdominalis. Basal levels of T4 are low in neotenes (85 +/- 19 pg/ml) and somewhat higher in metamorphosed Ambystoma (171 +/- 39 pg/ml), but are increased during metamorphosis (1094 +/- 138 pg/ml). Following injection of 5 mU bovine TSH circulating levels of T4 are raised about 4 times in neotenes, but more than 50 times in metamorphose animals. Three intravenous injections, each of 640 mU prolactin and given, respectively, 24 and 13 hr before and simultaneously with 5 mU TSH, do not inhibit the TSH-induced release in both experimental groups. In the metamorphosed Ambystoma again a more than 50-fold T4 increase is present, whereas in neotenes a 10-fold TSH-induced T4 release is seen, which is more pronounced than before the prolactin treatment. It is concluded that in A. mexicanum ovine prolactin does not block a TSH-induced T4 release and that any antagonistic action with thyroid hormones is not mediated through the thyroid gland.

Ambystoma↗
PubMed1985

Histological analysis of limb regeneration in postmetamorphic adult Ambystoma.

Previous investigation into the regenerative ability of postmetamorphic adult land phase Ambystoma has revealed that these species have the capacity to completely regenerate a limb, given optimal environmental conditions, and the gross morphological characteristics of limb regeneration in these species compared favorably with the external regeneration morphology of aquatic phase forms. The present study concerns a histological and histochemical examination of the regenerating limb tissues and their respective extracellular and intracellular tissue matrices. Postmetamorphic adult Ambystoma were amputated through the forearm, placed within optimal environmental conditions, and allowed to regenerate. The tissues were harvested at designated intervals after amputation and prepared for light microscopic examination. The limb tissues were assayed histologically for similarities to and differences from previously established regeneration morphologies. It was noted that specific correlations (i.e., apical epidermal cap formation, but outgrowth and elongation, palette formation, and digit formation) existed between regeneration histologies in these species and those previously reported for the aquatic urodeles, newt, axolotl, and larval salamander. By utilizing the histological and histochemical characteristics of the tissue, the regenerate limb was divided into five tissue units: epidermal, blastemal, soft, hard, and neuro/vascular. Based on the unique morphology of their extracellular matrices and respective histochemical staining patterns, four distinct blastemal regions were delineated within the blastemal units: subregenerate epidermal blastema, soft-tissue blastema, hard-tissue blastema, and core blastema. Histochemically, changing patterns of highly sulfated, weakly sulfated, and carboxylated polysaccharides and glycosylated compounds were located within both the extra- and intracellular stump and regenerate tissue matrices during regeneration. In addition, these patterns of intra- and extracellular macromolecular material correlated to previous reports of similar-type compounds assayed during regeneration in aquatic urodeles. With this in mind, the adult land phase Ambystoma can be considered an appropriate model system for studies concerning normal limb regeneration.

Alcian Blue↗