Interpretation of crayfish hepatopancreatic function based on fine structural analysis of epithelial cell lines and muscle network.

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The ultrastructure of R-, F-, and B-cells and of the myoepithelial network in crayfish hepatopancreas tubules was studied as a basis for the functional interpretation of hepatopancreatic digestive activity: 1. R-cells absorb luminal nutrients, mainly via contact digestion and molecular transport, and they store and metabolize glycogen and lipids. To this extent, R-cells combine the functions of vertebrate intestinal absorptive and hepatic parenchymal cells. 2. F-cells synthesize digestive enzymes and sequester them in a supranuclear vacuole which enlarges by pinocytic intake of luminal nutrients and fluids. 3. F-cell to B-cell transformation results from continued engorgement of the F-cell's supranuclear vacuole until only the nuclear region and a pinocytically activeapical complex remain identifiable. 4. B-cell secretion involves pinching off of the apical complex followed by extrusion of the enzyme-rich vacuolar contents. 5. The tubule's myoepithelial network consists of circular fibers, each containing a single myofibril, which branch to form longitudinal fibers. Sarcomeres are long (10–12 μ) and each thick myofilament is surrounded by 11–13 thin ones. This arrangement permits coordinated, tonic contractions of tubule segments which transport nutrients “in” and enzymes “out”. 6. Neurosecretory control of tubular function is suggested by the presence of vesicle-containing, extratubular cell processes which contact the circular muscle fibers.