Fig. 4. Differential sensitivity of the three Ca2+ wave pacemakers of
ascidian eggs (Phallusia) to mitochondrial inhibitors. (A-D) Effects
of FCCP applied before fertilization (A, n=3) and during the period
of activity of the Ca2+ wave pacemaker PM2 (B, n=4)
inhibits PM2 activity. Perfusion of FCCP after extrusion of the second polar
body (pb2) (C, n=3) produces a Ca2+ transient. Perfusion
of FCCP during the period of activity of the Ca2+ wave pacemaker
PM3 (D, n=4) affects pacemaker PM3 only slightly after 4 minutes.
Perfusion of CN- during the period of activity of PM1 (E) or PM2
(F,G) in eggs injected with CG/TR only (E, n=4) or with CG/TR and
cATP (in F). Artificial production of ATP by UV flash photolysis of cATP
(black arrowheads) restores partially PM2 activity (F, n=3). In eggs
preincubated for 20 minutes in oligomycin before fertilization (G,
n=3), Ca2+ wave pacemaker PM2 is still sensitive to
CN- perfusion. Artificial production of ATP by UV flash photolysis
of cATP (black arrowheads) increases the frequency of the repetitive waves
emitted by Ca2+ wave pacemaker PM2 (H, n=4). The periods
for waves 1 to 4 (i.e. before the photorelease of ATP) and for waves 5 to 8
(i.e. after the photorelease of ATP) are indicated in the inset.