title: Crustacean cardioexcitatory peptides may inhibit the heart in vivo.
abstract: Peptide neurohormones exist as functionally similar analogues in a wide variety of invertebrate and vertebrate phyla, and many have been implicated as cardiovascular regulators. In decapod crustaceans, these include the pentapeptide proctolin, crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) and the FMRF amide-related peptides F1 and F2, all of which are found in the pericardial organs located immediately upstream of the heart. Cardioexcitatory activity has been demonstrated by these four peptides in both isolated and semi-isolated arthropod hearts; CCAP, however, has minimal effects on the heart of Cancer magister. In the present study, we determined the effects of proctolin, F1 and F2 on the heart of the crab C. magister in both in vitro (semi-isolated heart) and in vivo (whole animal) preparations. In semi-isolated hearts, infusion of each peptide caused cardioexcitation, increasing the rate and stroke volume of the heart. In whole crabs, the peptides were cardioinhibitory; the strongest effects were observed with F1 and F2, which dramatically decreased heart rate, cardiac stroke volume and cardiac output. These results cast doubt on current perceptions of the functional role of cardioactive peptides in the regulation of invertebrate cardiovascular performance in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: McGaw
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wilkens
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Airriess
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura / Q000502:physiology*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D009842:Oligopeptides; C011536:proctolin