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Rapid integumental color changes due to novel iridophores in the chameleon sand tilefish Hoplolatilus chlupatyi
Author(s) -
Goda Makoto
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/pcmr.12581
Subject(s) - chromatophore , phentolamine , melanophore , biophysics , intracellular , stimulation , norepinephrine , platelet , antagonist , in vivo , chemistry , adrenergic , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , endocrinology , medicine , biochemistry , receptor , fishery , dopamine
Summary The wavelength of the light reflected from iridophores depends on the thickness and the spacing of intracellular reflecting platelets. Here, we show that the rapid color change from blue to red of the chameleon sand tilefish Hoplolatilus chlupatyi is mediated by adrenergic stimulation of a novel type of iridophore in which reflecting platelets are concentrated selectively in the periphery of the cell, near the plasma membrane. The color changes are not only observed in vivo but also in pigment cells of isolated scales which respond to increases in K + ion concentrations in 0.5 s and to addition of norepinephrine within 1 s. The norepinephrine effect can be blocked by addition of the alpha‐adrenergic antagonist phentolamine. The results suggest that adrenergic stimulation leads to changes in reflecting platelet organization in Hoplolatilus chlupatyi iridophores and represents the major mediator of the rapid color change in this fish in vivo.