Gadolinium is a powerful blocker of the activation of nematocytes of Pelagia noctiluca.

Gadolinium is a powerful blocker of the activation of nematocytes of Pelagia noctiluca.

The activation properties of in situ nematocytes of Pelagia noctiluca (Scyphozoa) were investigated by physical contact with a gelatin probe that, besides stimulating the nematocyte battery, retains the discharged nematocysts, thereby allowing a quantitative evaluation of the response. In oral arms previously treated with 2 mmol l-1 La3+ the discharge was inhibited. This result confirms the Ca(2+)-dependence of nematocyte activation. A similar inhibitory effect was induced by treatment with 20 mumol l-1 Gd3+, a powerful blocker of mechanosensitive ion channels. It is therefore proposed that Ca(2+)-permeable mechanosensitive channels are involved in the activation of nematocytes. 50 mumol l-1 Gd3+ added to the gelatin probe was effective in otherwise untreated oral arms. This result suggests that Gd3+ could be useful in preventing stings from harmful Cnidaria.

通过与明胶探针物理接触，研究了夜光游水母（钵水母纲）原位刺细胞的激活特性。该探针除了刺激刺细胞群外，还能保留已发射的刺丝囊，从而能够对反应进行定量评估。在用2 mmol/L La³⁺预先处理过的口腕中，发射受到抑制。这一结果证实了刺细胞激活对Ca²⁺的依赖性。用20 μmol/L Gd³⁺（一种强大的机械敏感离子通道阻滞剂）处理也诱导出了类似的抑制作用。因此，有人提出Ca²⁺可渗透的机械敏感通道参与刺细胞的激活。将50 μmol/L Gd³⁺添加到明胶探针中，对未处理过的口腕是有效的。这一结果表明，Gd³⁺可用于预防有害刺胞动物的蜇伤。