title: Snail peptide expression pattern in the nervous system of the medicinal leech.
abstract: Distribution of neurons immunopositive to antibodies against the "command neuron peptides" (CNPs) encoded by the snail Helix Command-Specific 2 (HCS2) gene was investigated in the nervous system of medicinal leech Hirudo. Immunopositive neurons were found in the leech segmental ganglia, brain and tail ganglionic masses, and peripheral ganglia. The CNPs immunopositive fibers were observed in neuropils of all ganglia and in some nerves. The role of CNPs immunopositive cells in animal behavior and the putative functions of the CNPs neuropeptide family are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, 5A Butlerova Street, Moscow 117485, Russia.
authors.forename: Nikolay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aseyev
authors.forename: Viktor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ierusalimsky
authors.forename: Dmitry
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boguslavsky
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balaban
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology*; D007865:Leeches / Q000235:genetics*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics*; D012908:Snails / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; C116258:HCS2 protein, Helix lucorum; D009479:Neuropeptides