Meyer zum Gottesberge-Orsulakova A
Acta Histochem Suppl. 1986;32:245-53.
Melanin-pigments are found in various parts of the inner ear, especially in the neighbourhood of those epithelia that are believed to be involved in the secretion and/or absorption of endolymphatic fluid. Microprobe analysis (LAMMA, X-ray) measurements were performed in different parts of the inner ear in tissues containing melanin. The tissues were shock-frozen, freeze-dried and embedded in Earle's medium (Spurr). The semi-thin sections used for microprobe analysis were cut dry in a conventional ultramicrotome and mounted on copper grids. Experimental manipulation of the endolymph ionic composition (increased Na+) stimulated the migration of melanosomes from the perinuclear region into the dendritic processes and the rearrangement of the dendritic processes in a close vicinity of the presumably transporting epithelia. The intracellular ion measurements showed the affinity of divalent ions for melanin (Mg++, Ca++, Sr++ and Ba++). It is proposed that melanin represents a physiologically important "reservoir" for essential trace elements and by its binding/release may play a key role in the enzymatically controlled processes of ionic pumps.
黑色素存在于内耳的各个部位，尤其是在那些被认为与内淋巴液分泌和/或吸收有关的上皮组织附近。对含有黑色素的内耳不同部位进行了微探针分析（激光微探针质谱分析、X射线）测量。组织经速冻、冻干后包埋于Earle培养基（Spurr）中。用于微探针分析的半薄切片在常规超薄切片机上干切，然后置于铜网上。对内淋巴离子组成进行实验性操作（增加钠离子浓度）会刺激黑素小体从核周区域迁移到树突状突起，并使树突状突起在可能参与运输的上皮组织附近重新排列。细胞内离子测量显示二价离子对黑色素具有亲和力（镁离子、钙离子、锶离子和钡离子）。有人提出，黑色素是必需微量元素的重要生理“储存库”，其结合/释放可能在离子泵的酶控过程中起关键作用。
