title: Neuropeptide signalling: a repository of targets for novel endectocides?
abstract: The only available parasiticides with a spectrum of action that includes a broad range of helminth and arthropod parasites are the macrocyclic lactones. Designated endectocides, these drugs have action against both endoparasitic nematodes and ectoparasitic arthropods. Unfortunately, the discovery of such drugs is exceedingly rare and there is no evidence that novel endectocidal agents will be identified and developed in the short to medium term. However, the discovery of neuropeptides with motor-modulatory activities in both arthropods and helminths, coupled with recent progress in the characterization of invertebrate neuropeptide receptors, has the potential to propel neuropeptide signalling to the forefront of efforts to develop a novel endectocide.
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Rd, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, UK.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mousley
authors.forename: Nikki J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Aaron G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Maule
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001181:Arthropods / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001681:Biological Assay; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology; D009348:Nematoda / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010271:Parasites / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018010:Receptors, Invertebrate Peptide / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; C055209:FMRFamide receptor; D007783:Lactones; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018010:Receptors, Invertebrate Peptide