An arginine vasotocin-like neuropeptide is present in the nervous system of the marine mollusc Aplysia californica.
Radioimmunoassays and high pressure liquid chromatography have been used to demonstrate the presence of an arginine-vasotocin-like peptide (AVT) in the anterior ganglia of Aplysia. Previously, AVT, using similar methods, was found to be present only in vertebrates. AVT when perfused over the abdominal ganglion (10(-6)-10(-12)M) was found to increase the bursting activity of R15, to decrease the bursting activity of L3-L6 and to increase the CNS's suppressive influence over the gill withdrawal reflex evoked by siphon stimulation. The AVT present in the nervous system of Aplysia may mediate long-term suppression of gill reflex behaviors induced by factors such as satiation and, as well, regulate the activity of certain neurosecretory neurons.
D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005724:Ganglia / Q000032:analysis; D005880:Gills / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C028931:vasotocin-like neuropeptide