The presence of enkephalin-like substances in the eyestalk and brain of the land crab Gecarcinus lateralis.
The eyestalk of the land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis, is rich in Met-enkephalin-like materials. Leu-enkephalin, if present, is at a level which is below the sensitivity of our assay. The brain (cerebral ganglion) of this organism contains both Met- and Leu-enkephalin-like materials. Material which was reactive with our Met-enkephalin antibody was also detected in a peak that migrated after Leu-enkephalin. This biochemical study confirms earlier immunohistochemical reports which indicated that opioid substances are present in crustaceans. It also strongly supports the concept that opioid mechanisms are a product of early evolution and further demonstrates that the sequence of the smaller opioid compounds has been conserved.
D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura / Q000032:analysis*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000032:analysis*; D005123:Eye / Q000032:analysis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D004745:Enkephalins