Abstract
The normal responses of strips of ileum from the guinea pig to histamine, acetylcholine, electrical stimulation, and to added antigen (horse serum) were determined. A perfusion of the tissue was then initiated with a Locke's solution lacking one of three ions : potassium, calcium, or magnesium. The progressive effect of this increasing lack upon the responses to the initially tried four stimuli was then investigated. In other experiments a pair of ions was removed from the normal Locke's solution. It has been suggested that a chain of enzymatic reactions exists within the cell and terminates in the final link of the reversible change in the actomyosin molecule. Since the response to electrical stimulation was the first to disappear in the absence of potassium or calcium ions from the Locke's solution, it is suggested that this stimulus must act at a link more distant from the final link than do either histamine or acetylcholine. Since the responses to histamine and acetylcholine disappeared pari passu in the absence of either potassium or calcium, it is suggested that they have a similar focus of attack. Added antigen was without effect in the absence of calcium ions but the moment the calcium ions were added to the bath the response promptly occurred even though many minutes might have elapsed between the two additions. It is suggested on this basis that the antigen-antibody reaction leads to a release of a substance within the cell which is reasonably stable and persists for some time.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call