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Title: A histochemical and X-ray microanalysis study of calcium changes in insect flight muscle degeneration in Solenopsis, the queen fire ant

Journal Article · · J. Histochem. Cytochem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/30.4.7061827· OSTI ID:5449276

Potassium pyroantimonate histochemistry, coupled with ethyleneglycoltetraacetic acid (EGTA)-chelation and X-ray microprobe analysis, was employed to localize intracellular calcium binding sites in the normal and degenerating flight musculature in queens of Solenopsis, the fire ant. In normal animals, calcium distribution was light to moderate within myofibrils and mitochondria. In the early contracture stages of the insemination-induced degeneration, both myofilament and mitochondrial calcium loading was markedly increased. In the terminal stages of myofibril breakdown, only Z-lines (isolated or in clusters) with an associated filamentous residue persisted. These complexes were also intensely calcium positive. This study further documents the presence of increased sarcoplasmic calcium during muscle necrosis. Surface membrane defects, mitochondrial calcium overload, and calcium-activated proteases may all be involved in this ''normal'' breakdown process.

Research Organization:
Department of Microscopic Anatomy, College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas
OSTI ID:
5449276
Journal Information:
J. Histochem. Cytochem.; (United States), Vol. 30:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English