title: Chemoreception in Nassarius obsoletus: the role of specific stimulatory proteins.
abstract: Proteins in human plasma and oyster fluid induce a strong feeding response in the marine snail Nassarius obsoletus. Purified human serum albumin induces a 50 percent positive response at concentrations of 1 to 2 x 10(-9) molar. Adsorbed fatty acids markedly decrease the effectiveness of albumin. From oyster fluid a major glycoprotein has been isolated which accounts for essentially the entire stimulatory activity of the fluid and is effective at concentrations of approximately 1 to 2 x 10(-10) molar. These findings provide evidence that specific proteins in extremely low concentrations may play a major role in chemoreception in aquatic animals.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000032:analysis; D010169:Palmitic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D011506:Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012908:Snails / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D008074:Lipoproteins; D010169:Palmitic Acids; D011506:Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D005340:Fibrinogen