Identification of RFamide neuropeptides in the medicinal leech.
Using a four-step reverse phase HPLC separation and RIA, five RFamide peptides were purified from CNS extracts of the leech Hirudo medicinalis. YMRFamide, FMRFamide, YLRFamide, FLRFamide, and GGKYMRFamide were identified by a combination of antiserum specificity in RIA, Edman degradation, and mass spectrometry. At least three of these five endogenous peptides can modulate neuromuscular interactions in the leech (38). FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity was selectively released from neural processes on isolated heart tubes in the presence of calcium and depolarizing levels of potassium.
Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322.
B D
BD
Evans
J
J
Pohl
N A
NA
Kartsonis
R L
RL
Calabrese
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003429:Cross Reactions; D019835:FMRFamide; D007106:Immune Sera; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007865:Leeches / Q000737:chemistry*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009420:Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000032:analysis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D007106:Immune Sera; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D009842:Oligopeptides; D019835:FMRFamide