Maxadilan, the PAC1 receptor, and leishmaniasis.
Maxadilan is a vasodilator peptide isolated from sand fly salivary glands. The vasodilator effects of maxadilan are mediated by the PAC1 receptor, although maxadilan and PACAP do not share sequence homology. Sand flies are the vector of the parasitic disease leishmaniasis. The peptide aids the sand fly in obtaining a blood meal while enhancing the infectivity of leishmania parasites transmitted by this arthropod vector. Aspects of maxadilan, PAC1, and leishmaniasis are discussed.
Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Building 149, 13th Street, Chareleston, MA 02129, USA.
Vemuri B
VB
Reddy
Yhong
Y
Li
Ethan A
EA
Lerner
D000818:Animals; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007896:Leishmaniasis; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000378:metabolism; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000469:parasitology; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000378:metabolism*
D019476:Insect Proteins; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C069147:maxadilan protein, insect