Abstract
The localisation and distribution of neuropeptide F (NPF)-immunoreactivity (IR) in the monogenean fish-gill parasite,Diclidophora merlangi, have been investigated by whole-mount immunocytochemistry interfaced with confocal scanning laser microscopy and, at the ultrastructural level, by indirect immunogold labeling. Using antisera directed to intact synthetic NPF (Moniezia expansa, residues 1–39) or to the C-terminal decapeptide (residues 30–39) of synthetic NPF (M. expansa), immunostaining was found throughout the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems (PNS), including the innervation of the reproductive system. Immunoreactivity was found to be more intense using the antiserum to the C-terminal decapeptide fragment of NPF. At the subcellular level, gold labeling of NPF-IR was found exclusively over the contents of dense-cored vesicles that occupied nerve axons of both the CNS and the PNS. The distribution pattern of immunostaining for NPF mirrored exactly that previously documented for the vertebrate pancreatic polypeptide (PP) family of peptides and for FMRFamide. This finding and the results of preabsorption experiments strongly suggest that NPF is the predominant native neuropeptide inD. merlangi and that it accounts for most of the immunostaining previously obtained with PP and FMRFamide antisera.
Article PDF
We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.
Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Brennan GP, Halton DW, Maule AG, Shaw C, Johnston CF, Moore S, Fairweather I (1992) Immunoelectron microscopic studies of regulatory peptides in the nervous system of the monogenean parasite,Diclidophora merlangi. Parasitology (in press)
Curry J, Shaw C, Johnston CF, Thim L, Buchanan KD (1992) Neuropeptide F: primary structure from the turbellarianArtioposthia triangulata. Comp Biochem Physiol [C] 101:269–274
Fairweather I, Halton DW (1991) Neuropeptides in platyhelminths. Parasitology 102:77–92
Gustafsson MKS (1990) The cells of a cestode,Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, as a model in cell biology. In: Gustafsson MKS, Reuter M (eds) The early brain. Acta Academia Aboensis, Abo, pp 13–44
Halton DW, Brennan GP, Maule AG, Shaw C, Johnston CF, Fairweather I (1991) The ultrastructure and immunogold labelling of pancreatic polypeptide-like immunoreactive cells associated with the egg-forming apparatus of a monogenean parasite,Diclidophora merlangi. Parasitology 102:429–436
Halton DW, Shaw C, Maule AG, Johnston CF, Fairweather I (1992) Peptidergic messengers: a new perspective of the nervous system of parasitic platyhelminths. J Parasitol 78:179–193
Leung PS, Shaw C, Maule AG, Thim L, Johnston CF, Irvine GB (1992) A molluscan neuropeptide F. Regul Peptides 35:242
Maule AG, Shaw C, Halton DW, Johnston CF, Fairweather I (1989) Localization, quantification and characterization of pancreatic polypeptide immunoreactivity in the parasitic flatwormDiclidophora merlangi and its fish host (Merlangius merlangus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 74:50–56
Maule AG, Halton DW, Johnston CF, Shaw C, Fairweather I (1990a) The serotoninergic, cholinergic and peptidergic components of the nervous system in the monogenean parasiteDiclidophora merlangi: a cytochemical study. Parasitology 100:255–273
Maule AG, Halton DW, Johnston CF, Shaw C, Fairweather I (1990b) A cytochemical study of the serotoninergic, cholinergic and peptidergic components of the reproductive system in the monogenean parasite,Diclidophora merlangi. Parasitol Res 76:409–419
Maule AG, Shaw C, Halton DW, Thim L, Johnston CF, Fairweather I, Buchanan KD (1991) Neuropeptide F: a novel parasitic flatworm regulatory peptide fromMoniezia expansa (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea). Parasitology 102:309–316
Maule AG, Shaw C, Halton DW, Johnston CF, Fairweather I (1992) Immunochemical and chromatographic analyses of a neuropeptide from the monogenean parasite,Diclidophora merlangi: evolutionary aspects of the neuropeptide Y superfamily. Comp Biochem Physiol (C) 102:517–522
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maule, A.G., Brennan, G.P., Halton, D.W. et al. Neuropeptide F-immunoreactivity in the monogenean parasiteDiclidophora merlangi . Parasitol Res 78, 655–660 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931516
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931516