Localization of FMRFamide- and ACEP-1-like immunoreactivities in the nervous system and heart of a pulmonate mollusc, Achatina fulica.
Immunohistochemical localization of two neuropeptides possibly involved in the regulation of cardiac activity in a pulmonate mollusc, Achatina fulica Férussac, was studied. On the ventral surface of the right cerebral ganglion, more than 50 neurons with diameters of 30-50 microns showed immunoreactivity to the antiserum of the neuropeptide FMRFamide. Many were also immunoreactive to an antiserum raised against Achatina cardio-excitatory peptide-1 (ACEP-1). Although FMRFamide-like immunoreactive neurons occurred in all components of the subesophageal ganglia, identifiable ACEP-1-like immunoreactive neurons were located only in the visceral ganglion and the right parietal ganglion. In the heart, FMRFamide- and ACEP-1-like immunoreactive fibers were restricted to the atrium and the aortic end of the ventricle, consistent with morphological observations of cardiac innervation. The present results suggest that FMRFamide- and ACEP-1-like peptides are involved in regulating the heart beat of this snail.
Physiological Laboratory, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan.
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M
Fujiwara-Sakata
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M
Kobayashi
D000818:Animals; D019835:FMRFamide; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008974:Mollusca / Q000378:metabolism*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*
D009479:Neuropeptides; D019835:FMRFamide