title: Distribution of a novel cardioactive neuropeptide (CCAP) in the nervous system of the shore crab Carcinus maenas.
abstract: A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the recently discovered crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) has been developed and used to determine contents of CCAP in different parts of the nervous system of the shore crab Carcinus maenas. Immunoreactive material was detected throughout the nervous system. In contrast to the main ganglia which contained low levels of approximately 1.4 pmol CCAP/mg protein (brain and thoracic ganglion), a high concentration was found in a neurohemal structure, the pericardial organs (PO) (868 pmol/mg protein). A predominantly neurohormonal role of CCAP thus suggested is further supported by in vitro release studies. Incubation of POs in high (K+) saline showed that CCAP is secretable in considerable amounts by a Ca++-dependent release mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Zoophysiologie, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stangier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hilbich
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dircksen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Keller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D007106:Immune Sera; D009420:Nervous System / Q000032:analysis*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera; D009479:Neuropeptides; C058620:crustacean cardioactive peptide