title: The anthozoan neuropeptide Antho-RWamide I modulates Ca2+ current in sea anemone myoepithelial cells.
abstract: The anthozoan neuropeptide Antho-RWamide I (< Glu-Ser-Leu-Arg-Trp-NH2) excites contraction of endodermal muscles in sea anemones. Single electrode voltage clamp recordings from semi-intact preparations of endodermal myoepithelial cells reveal that Antho-RWamide I increases an inward Ca2+ current. Evidence for the involvement of a Ca2+ current in contraction was supported by the observation that Cd2+ abolished spontaneous contractions and reduced inward current. Contractions and inward currents induced by Antho-RWamide I were not, however, completely abolished in the presence of Cd2+. We conclude that Antho-RWamide, a putative neurotransmitter at sea anemone smooth muscle, acts by opening, either directly or indirectly, Ca2+ channels in the muscle membrane.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Hull, UK.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Cho
authors: I D
authors: ID
authors: McFarlane
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004707:Endoderm; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D012615:Sea Anemones; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D009479:Neuropeptides; D009842:Oligopeptides; C056018:Antho-RWamide I; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid