High impact information on Echidna

• Although the echidna erythrocytes had an abundance of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and other glycolytic intermediates, no other energy-rich pyridine and purine compounds were detected [1].
• We have examined the topography of the cerebral cortex of the Australian echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), using Nissl and myelin staining, immunoreactivity for parvalbumin, calbindin, and nonphosphorylated neurofilament protein (SMI-32 antibody), and histochemistry for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and NADPH diaphorase [2].
• For echidna and canine milk lysozymes, which were presumed to be the calcium-binding lysozymes by their amino acid sequences, we have quantitated their calcium-binding strength and examined their guanidine unfolding profiles [3].
• We find that the five human X-linked genes (G6PD, GDX, F9, AR and MCF2) map to the echidna X1 chromosome in locations equivalent to those on the platypus X [4].
• The echidna energy metabolism is unique in that adenosine can stimulate glycolytic carbon flow, resulting in a nearly 20-fold net synthesis of ATP [5].

Anatomical context of Echidna

• We have studied the cyto- and myeloarchitectural organisation of the spinal cord of an echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) with the aid of Nisst staining, darkfield examination and p-phenylenediamine staining [6].
• We have examined the cyto- and chemoarchitecture of the dorsal thalamus of the short beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), using Nissl and myelin staining, immunoreactivity for parvalbumin, calbindin, calretinin and non-phosphorylated neurofilament protein (SMI-32 antibody), and histochemistry for acetylcholinesterase and NADPH diaphorase [7].
• A survey of endocrine cells in the pancreas of the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) with special reference to pancreatic motilin cells [8].

Associations of Echidna with chemical compounds

• The concentration of pituitary LH is in the range of that found in eutherian mammals, but the concentration of ACTH is lower than that reported for other vertebrates, and this may be linked causally with the remarkably low rate of corticosteroid secretion in the echidna [9].
• The effects of injections of cortisol, corticosterone and ACTH on indices of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism were investigated in the conscious echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus [10].
• The peripheral plasma concentrations and production rates of corticosterone and cortisol were measured in the conscious, unrestrained echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) under basal conditions and during maximal ACTH stimulation [11].
• Ouabain sensitive Rb86 influx in the echidna was approximately 0.17 mumoles/ml cells x hr, whereas the platypus exhibited a higher value of 0.43 mumoles/ml cells x hr [12].
• The deduced protein sequences from the coding areas of the platypus and echidna protamine P1 genes do not contain any cysteine residues [13].

Gene context of Echidna

• Preliminary partial type I IFN sequences from the short-beaked echidna were previously found to cluster only with the IFN-beta subtype in phylogenetic analyses, but a lack of sequence information made interpretation of these results tenuous [14].
• Two TCR alpha-chain cDNAs ( TCRA) from the short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus, containing complete variable, joining and constant regions were isolated [15].
• One echidna TCR beta-chain cDNA ( TCRB) containing the entire constant region was isolated and sequenced [15].
• A putative endopiriform nucleus can be identified in the interior of the piriform lobe of the echidna as calretinin immunoreactive neurons embedded within the white matter [16].
• Our recent studies in the echidna indicate that REM and non-REM sleep did not evolve sequentially, but rather evolved as a differentiation of a primitive state which held the seeds of both sleep states [17].

References