title: The role of cAMP in the actions of the peptide AF3 in the parasitic nematodes Ascaris suum and Ascaridia galli.
abstract: AF3 (AVPGVLRFamide) is an endogenous RFamide-like peptide isolated from the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum. It has a potent and long lasting excitatory effect in A. suum and Ascaridia galli. This is mediated by a mechanism independent of the nicotinic-like acetylcholine (ACh) receptor, which mediates excitatory transmission at the neuromuscular junction of both nematodes. In addition, AF3 has been found to sensitise A. suum muscle to the contractile effect of ACh. In this study, the involvement of the second messenger cAMP in mediating the action of AF3 on the somatic musculature of A. suum and A. galli has been investigated. Two approaches have been used; the effects of drugs which raise intracellular cAMP levels on the contractile responses to AF3 have been examined and biochemical assays have been used to measure the effects of AF3 on cAMP levels. AF3 contractions were inhibited in A. suum by 10 microM forskolin (by 22% of control; P < 0.05; n = 9) and by 500 microM isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX, by 27% of control; P < 0.001; n = 6). AF3 decreased cAMP concentrations in A. suum somatic muscle (basal, 1721 +/- 134 pmol mg-1 protein; with 1 microM AF3, 1148 +/- 133 pmol mg-1 protein; P < 0.05, n = 5). AF3 (1 microM) also reduced the 10 microM forskolin induced potentiation of cAMP concentrations in A. suum (forskolin 3242 +/- 471 pmol mg-1 protein; forskolin and AF3, 1524 +/- 143 pmol mg-1 protein; P < 0.001, n = 6) and A. galli (forskolin 291 +/- 32 pmol mg-1 protein, forskolin +AF3, 185 +/- 12 pmol mg-1 protein; P < 0.005, n = 5). These data suggest that in both nematodes the contractile effect of AF3 is, at least in part, regulated by cAMP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Trim
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Brooman
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Holden-Dye
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D015056:1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001197:Ascaridia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017165:Ascaris suum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015290:Second Messenger Systems
chemical_list: C114248:AF3 peptide; D009842:Oligopeptides; D005576:Colforsin; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D000109:Acetylcholine; D015056:1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine