title: Comparative distribution of urocortin- and CRF-like immunoreactivities in the nervous system of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris.
abstract: Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and urocortin (Ucn) are both members of the CRF neuropeptide family. The distribution of Ucn- and CRF-like immunoreactive (ir) structures in the central nervous system of several vertebrate species has been studied, but little is known about that in non-vertebrates. We used a highly specific polyclonal antibody against rat Ucn and CRF to determine and compare the distribution of Ucn- and CRF-like immunoreactivity in the earthworm nervous system. Several Ucn- and CRF-like ir perikarya were described in the cerebral ganglion, subesophageal and ventral cord ganglia. The majority of Ucn-like ir cells were found in the ventral ganglia, whereas CRF-like ir cells were most abundant in the cerebral ganglion. Scattered Ucn- and CRF-like ir varicose fiber terminals were seen in all areas of the earthworm central nervous system. Ucn-like ir cell bodies and fiber terminals were also demonstrated in the pharyngeal wall. No co-localization of Ucn- and CRF-like ir nervous structures were observed. This study provided morphological evidence that Ucn- and CRF-like neurosecretory products exist in the earthworm central nervous system. Furthermore, both the distribution and morphology of Ucn- and CRF-like ir structures were distinct, therefore, it can be hypothesized that these neuropeptides exert different neurendocrine functions in the earthworm nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, Medical Faculty, University of Pécs, Szigeti ut 12, 7624, Pécs, Hungary. andrea.lubics@aok.pte.hu
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lubics
authors.forename: Dóra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reglodi
authors.forename: Márta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szelier
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lengvári
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kozicz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005724:Ganglia / Q000737:chemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000737:chemistry*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry; D054832:Urocortins
chemical_list: D054832:Urocortins; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone