Molluscs neuropeptide

RfteeN years have elapsed since Alvin N. Starratt and Brian E. Brown released their pioneering publication announcing the initial determination of a primary structure for an insect neuropeptide—the penta-peptide proctolin. In the early 1980s, only a few American, Japanese, and European universities, as well as the Zoecon Corporation in the United States, were engaged in insect neuropeptide research. Neuropeptide discoveries in vertebrates and molluscs—and the advent of exquisitely sensitive techniques for isolation, sequence determination, and synthesis of neuropeptides—rapidly accelerated discoveries in both the mammalian and insect arenas. More than SO insect neuropeptides have been sequenced and reported in the literature, and that number is increasing rapidly. Concomitant with these developments have been several symposia, conferences, and workshops that address various aspects of insect neuroscience. 

FMRF amide (neuropeptide C molluscan cardioexcitatory peptide) is a tetrapeptide isolated from the mollusc Macrocallista nimbosa, and is a putative molluscan neurotransmitter acting at an ion-channel-receptor complex. It has CARDIAC STIMULANT properties. 

There is a very diverse superfamily of neuropeptides present in most invertebrates that are called FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) the name is based on the first member of this group isolated from ganglia of a clam (mollusc) and identified as Phe-Met-Arg-Phe amide (FMRFamide) this peptide had a strong cardioexcitatory action [185]. A number of important families are grouped into this superfamily the FMRFamides and extended FMRFamides, myosuppressins (FLRFamides), sulfakinins (HMRFamides) and, neuropeptides F and Y (NPFs and NPYs). 

Fig. 1. In situ hybridization analysis of alternatively spliced transcripts from the FMRFamide neuropeptide locus in the pulmonate mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis, using a battery of oligonucleotides specific for each of the exons see also ref. d)- (A) The locus comprises five exons (1-V) and gives rise to two mRNAs, both sharing exon I, but containing either exon II or alternatively exons III-V (3). (B) The set of consecutive serial sections from the CNS shown here has been probed with an oligonucleotide specific for exon II (left), exon III (middle), and exon I (right). It is clear that expression of exon II and III is mutually exclusive. In addition, because the two transcripts that con-...

Isol. from various molluscs incl. Helisoma trivolvis and Lymnaea stagnalis. Cardioregulatory neuropeptide. Hydrochloride 1 2) [115993-58-3]. 

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