Rôle des cellules S de l'épithélium caecal des Crustacés Isopodes dans la capture et la dégradation de protéines hémolymphatiques, et dans le stockage de catabolites (acide urique, sulfure de cuivre, phosphates)
The S cells within the tubules of the hepatopancreas in the terrestrial isopod Oniscus asellus show numerous infoldings of the plasma membrane, which are involved in the uptake of hemolymph proteins, and a lysosomal apparatus that ensures the breakdown of the ingested material. The catabolic process leads to an accumulation of wastes in the form of spherocrystals. The most important components of the spherocrystals are uric acid, copper sulfide, which we consider to originate in the breakdown of hemocyanin monomers, alkaline-earth phosphates, which could be produced by enzymatic activities, and zinc. Moreover, in the marine species Ligia oceanica a silver salt (sulfide?) is stored in the spherocrystals. The S cells function as a storage type of excretory system. Their role is similar to urate cells in arthropods, nephrocytes in insects, and pore cells in molluscs. In the latter, the storage of silver is important in marine environments only.