Calcium Metabolism in the Yestibular Non-Sensory Cells.

前庭斑细胞内钙离子的功能研究表明，钙离子不仅与分泌颗粒有关，而且与支持细胞的溶酶体和高尔基体有关。硫酸链霉素可抑制溶酶体酶活性，使钙分泌减少。这可能导致耳石减少。用X射线微区分析仪研究，证实耳石被前庭暗细胞吸收，提示硫酸链霉素影响了前庭暗细胞的功能，并可显示前庭感觉细胞内钙离子流。在去极化状态下观察到钙离子快速流入细胞，而在静息状态下钙分布没有特殊的模式。内淋巴上皮细胞内存在由光细胞受体激活的钙离子通道，对内淋巴进行调节，用扫描电镜观察细胞骨架的三维结构，以及与细胞核、线粒体、内质网、分离的活体前庭感觉细胞能够产生自我运动。肌动蛋白被认为与前庭毛细胞运动有关。提示前庭毛细胞的运动依赖于肌动蛋白-肌球蛋白系统和离子通过质膜的转运，我认为这一系列关于前庭斑细胞内钙离子的研究提供了许多有用的信息。

The following results of the functions of calcium in the cells of vestibular maculae were obtained.Not only the secretory granules but also lysosomes and Golgi apparatus of supporting cells were concerned with the synthesis of otoconia. Steptomycin sulfate inhibited the lysosomal enzyme activity as a result the secretion of calcium were decreased. This might lead to reduction of otoconia. Studying by X ray microanalyzer, it was certained that otoconia was absorbed into vestibular dark cells and it was suggested that streptomycin sulfate affected the functions of dark cells.Calcium ion flow in the isolated vestibular sensory cells could be demonstrated. Rapid flow of calcium ion into the cells during the depolarized state was observed while calcium distribution had no particular patterns during the resting state. There were the calcium channels whici were activated by the receptor of light cells in endolymphatic epithelial cells which regulated endolymph.Saponin perfusion method using scanning electron microscopy made it possible to investigate three-demensional structures of cytoskeletons as well as the complex interacted with various membranous bound organelles such as nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and so on.Isolated living vestibular sensory cells were capable of producing self movement. Actin is thought to be related to vestibular hair cell motility. It was suggested that the motility of vestibular hair cells depends on the actin-myosin system and the ion transport through the plasmic membrane.I believe that this series of studies on calcium in the cells of vestibular maculae presents many useful informations.