Cellular localization of a renin-like enzyme in leeches.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to localize in leeches the renin-like enzyme previously characterized as well as the leech angiotensin-converting like enzyme (ACE).


METHODS
Immunocytochemical as well as whole mount experiments were performed with an antibody raised against a fragment of the leech renin-like enzyme (VLWAAEKTQLDTGSS) and with anti-leech ACE.


RESULTS
Anti-leech renin stains the vascular pole of the glomerulus and the afferent arteriole of the rat kidney. Immunostaining of leech sections revealed labeling in neurons and glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS), immunocytes and the nephridial canal, canaliculi and the periphery of the ciliated funnel, as well as the epithelium lining nephridia. Co-localization between antibodies raised against this fragment and a fragment of leech angiotensin-converting enzyme was demonstrated in neurons and glial cells of the leech CNS, as in vertebrates


RESULTS
Leech renin is localized in leeches like in vertebrate in the excretory system and in the nervous system.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest the presence of a renin-angiotensin system involved in osmoregulation in leeches.
Salzet
M
M
Laboratoire de Neuroimmunologie des Annélides, ESA CNRS 8017, SN3, IFR 17 INSERM, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France. michel.salzet@univ-lille1.fr
Verger-Bocquet
M
M
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007865:Leeches / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009420:Nervous System / Q000201:enzymology; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012083:Renin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000201:enzymology; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000502:physiology
D012083:Renin