Biogenic catecholamines in the cnidarian Renilla köllikeri: radioenzymatic and chromatographic detection

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Abstract
The presence of biogenic catecholamines in the colonial anthozoan Renilla köllikeri was assessed with a radioenzymatic assay and thin-layer chromatographic separation of extracts from different parts of the colony. Confirmation of catecholamine detection was also obtained using an HPLC technique with electrochemical detection. All three catecholamines, i.e., dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline, were detected to varying degrees in the colonial compartments. Unidentified inhibitory factor(s) endogenous to Renilla tissues prevented the detection of internal catecholamine standards to an extent that was dependent upon time of sampling and part of the colony assayed. Peaks in catecholamine levels fluctuated sharply over the 10-month sampling period. Dopamine was the most frequently detected catecholamine, with levels generally higher than those of the other two amines, especially in the autozooids. The presence of adrenaline is reported for the first time in a coelenterate species. These results suggest that catecholamines are present in the most primitive metazoan phylum known to possess a nervous system. The physiological significance of these findings is discussed.

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