title: NMDA R1 receptor distribution in the cyprid of Balanus amphitrite (=Amphibalanus amphitrite) (Cirripedia, Crustacea).
abstract: The ontogenetic cycle of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite (=Amphibalanus amphitrite) (Darwin, 1854) includes a cyprid that binds submerged surfaces, metamorphosing into a sessile adult. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and GABA receptors have recently been located in its cyprid with a similar pattern to other crustaceans. Since NMDA R1 ionotropic glutamatergic receptors have been identified in crustacean neuromuscular junctions, we have investigated their presence in the B. amphitrite cyprid. The presence of NMDA R1 receptors might indicate a role for glutamate in neuromuscular control in B. amphitrite cyprids, therefore we studied the presence and distribution of the NMDA R1 by immunohistochemistry. Its distribution was observed in the peripheral nervous system and in non-neuronal elements. Actually, NMDA R1 immunoreactivity was detected in thoracic appendages, at the level of neuromuscular junctions, thus suggesting an involvement in motor control functions, as already demonstrated in other crustaceans. Immunoreactivity was also detected in ommatidia cells of the eye, in antennules, and in epidermal cells. The distribution pattern comparable to that of GABAergic molecules could indicate an interrelated agonistic/antagonistic role for these two systems, which could be considered as potential targets of combined antifouling strategies.
authors.affiliation: DIBIO, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 5, I-16132 Genova, Italy. gallus@unige.it
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallus
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrando
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gambardella
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diaspro
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bianchini
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faimali
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramoino
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tagliafierro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000378:metabolism; D001468:Thoracica / Q000502:physiology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D016707:Tissue Fixation
chemical_list: D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate