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Physiological effects of platyhelminth FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) on the motility of the monogenean Diclidophora merlangi

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 1997

C. G. MONEYPENNY
Affiliation:
Comparative Neuroendocrinology Research Group, The Queen's University of Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
A. G. MAULE
Affiliation:
Comparative Neuroendocrinology Research Group, The Queen's University of Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
C. SHAW
Affiliation:
Comparative Neuroendocrinology Research Group, The Queen's University of Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
T. A. DAY
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48814, USA
R. A. PAX
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48814, USA
D. W. HALTON
Affiliation:
Comparative Neuroendocrinology Research Group, The Queen's University of Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK

Abstract

The actions of known platyhelminth FaRPs on the contractility of whole-worm preparations of the monogenean, Diclidophora merlangi have been examined in vitro for the first time. All of the peptides tested had excitatory effects on the motor activity of the worm. The order of potency for the peptides tested was: YIRFamide > GYIRFamide = RYIRFamide > GNFFRFamide = FLRFamide. However, although YIRFamide was more potent than GYIRFamide, the latter was the most efficacious on each of the motility parameters (tension, contraction amplitude and contraction frequency) examined at concentrations [ges ]0·1 μm. Serotonin, which stimulates contractility in the worm was used as a positive control. The excitatory activity of turbellarian and cestode neuropeptides on a monogenean indicates at least some structural similarities in the neuropeptide receptors of these classes of flatworm.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1997 Cambridge University Press

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