Tunichromes and metal ion accumulation in tunicate blood cells

Abstract

1. 1. Metal analyses have been performed on the tunicates Ascidia nigra (accumulates V(III)), Ciona intestinalis (accumulates V(IV)) and Molgula manhattensis (accumulates Fe(II)). 2. 2. Negligible amounts of Cr, Ni, Mn, Ti and Cu were detected in blood cells, but Cu occurs at significant levels in the bodies of all species. Al was found in the blood of M. manhattensis. 3. 3. A green chromogen (tunichrome) was found in blood cells of all species. A. nigra possesses vanadium and tunichrome in approx equimolar concentrations. 4. 4. Tunichromes from C. intestinalis and M. manhattensis have absorption peaks at 270 nm; M. manhattensis tunichrome also has a peak at 340 nm. Both, like A. nigra tunichrome, can reduce Fe(III) and V(V). © 1979.