Intracellular Oxidation-Reduction Studies

Abstract

1. Of the simple and substituted indophenols used, all except those containing a sulfonate radical could be detected in living Echinoderm ova after immersion in the indicators dissolved in sea-water. All the indophenols containing the sulfonate radical and the three indigo sulfonates do not penetrate. The amphoteric dyes F, N, and the basic dyes Q, Q 1, R, S 1 and V readily penetrate the ova. 2. Under aerobic conditions all the penetrating dyes down to and including methylene blue can be completely reduced within the ova. Ultimately, however, through progressive intracellular accumulation of the oxidant, the dyes all impart a visible coloration to the cytoplasm. There is an apparent relationship between the time necessary for the ultimate visible coloration and the ease with which the dye is reduced in the cytoplasm. 3. Eggs, immersed in the penetrating indicators, eventually die without undergoing segmentation. On the other hand, the eggs immersed in solutions of all but one of the non-penetrating indicators developed into swimming larvae. 4. Upon cytolysis the increased permeability of the disintegrated remains of the eggs permits the washing out of the contained indicator. The dissipation of reducing power has been shown to occur in several instances upon cytolysis by tearing. The agent or agents responsible for the reducing activity of protoplasm apparently escapes from the cytolysed cell debris into the surrounding medium in which it may still exert its reducing action.