Modulatory effects of achatin-I, an Achatina endogenous neuroactive peptide, on responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine

Neuropeptidome of the Cephalopod Sepia officinalis: Identification, Tissue Mapping, and Expression Pattern of Neuropeptides and Neurohormones during Egg Laying

Cephalopods exhibit a wide variety of behaviors such as prey capture, communication, camouflage, and reproduction thanks to a complex central nervous system (CNS) divided into several functional lobes that express a wide range of neuropeptides involved in the modulation of behaviors and physiological mechanisms associated with the main stages of their life cycle. This work focuses on the neuropeptidome expressed during egg-laying through de novo construction of the CNS transcriptome using an RNAseq approach (Illumina sequencing). Then, we completed the in silico analysis of the transcriptome by characterizing and tissue-mapping neuropeptides by mass spectrometry. To identify neuropeptides involved in the egg-laying process, we determined (1) the neuropeptide contents of the neurohemal area, hemolymph (blood), and nerve endings in mature females and (2) the expression levels of these peptides. Among the 38 neuropeptide families identified from 55 transcripts, 30 were described for the first time in Sepia officinalis, 5 were described for the first time in the animal kingdom, and 14 were strongly overexpressed in egg-laying females as compared with mature males. Mass spectrometry screening of hemolymph and nerve ending contents allowed us to clarify the status of many neuropeptides, that is, to determine whether they were neuromodulators or neurohormones.

Modulation by APGW-amide, an Achatina endogenous inhibitory tetrapeptide, of currents induced by neuroactive compounds on Achatina neurons: peptides

1. Modulatory effects of APGW-amide (Ala-Pro-Gly-Trp-NH2), proposed as an inhibitory neurotransmitter of Achatina neurons, perfused at 3 x 10(-6) M on the currents induced by neuroactive peptides, ejected by brief pressure, were examined by using Achatina giant neuron types, v-RCDN (ventral-right cerebral distinct neuron) and PON (periodically oscillating neuron), under voltage clamp. 2. Outward current (Iout) caused by FMRFamide (Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2) on v-RCDN, which was probably K+ dependent, was inhibited with membrane conductance (g) increase by APGW-amide. From the dose (pressure duration)-response curves of FMRFamide and a Lineweaver-Burk plot of these data, the inhibition caused by APGW-amide was mainly in an uncompetitive manner. 3. Iout caused by APGW-amide on v-RCDN, which was probably K+ dependent, was inhibited with g increase by APGW-amide. The inhibition caused by APGW-amide was partly in a competitive manner and partly in a noncompetitive manner. 4. Iout caused by [Ser2]-Mytilus inhibitory peptide, [Ser2]-MIP (Gly-Ser-Pro-Met-Phe-Val-NH2) on v-RCDN, which was probably K+ dependent, was inhibited with g increase by APGW-amide. Because the modulation of this current was not so marked, a dose-response study of this compound was not carried out. Iin induced by oxytocin on PON was not affected by APGW-amide. 5. From the dose-response curves of APGW-amide, perfused consecutively, the inhibitory effects of APGW-amide on the Iout caused by APGW-amide were stronger than those on the Iout caused by FMRFamide. 6. The inhibition of the APGW-amide-induced Iout on v-RCDN by APGW-amide was partly due to the competition in the receptor sites and partly to the g increase. The inhibition by APGW-amide on the Iout induced by FMRFamide and [Ser2]-MIP would be partly due to the g increase. In addition, we consider that APGW-amide affects intracellular signal transduction systems or ionic channels, thus modulating these currents. 7. The currents modulated by APGW-amide were different from those modulated by achatin-1, another Achatina endogenous neuroexcitatory peptide. We consider that the mechanisms underlying the modulatory effects of APGW-amide are different from those of achatin-I.

Modulation by APGW-amide, an Achatina endogenous inhibitory tetrapeptide, of currents induced by neuroactive compounds on Achatina neurons: amines and amino acids

1. Modulatory effects of APGW-amide (Ala-Pro-Gly-Trp-NH2), proposed as an inhibitory neurotransmitter of Achatina neurons, perfused at 3 x 10(-6) M on the currents induced by small-molecule putative neurotransmitters were examined by using Achatina giant neuron types, v-RCDN (ventral-right cerebral distinct neuron), TAN (tonically autoactive neuron) and RAPN (right anterior pallial nerve neuron), under voltage clamp. These putative neurotransmitters were ejected locally to the neuron by brief pneumatic pressure. 2. Outward current (Iout) induced by erythro-beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid (erythro-L-BHGA) on v-RCDN, which was probably K+ dependent, was enhanced with membrane conductance (g) increase under APGW-amide. From dose (pressure duration)-response curves of erythro-L-BHGA measured in physiological solution (control curve) and with APGW-amide (drug curve), ED50 values of the two curves were nearly comparable, whereas Emax of the drug curve was significantly larger than that of the other. From a Lineweaver-Burk plot of these data, the cross point of the control line and the drug line was on the abscissa. 3. K(+)-dependent Iout caused by dopamine (DA) on v-RCDN was inhibited with a g increase by APGW-amide. The inhibition of this current caused by APGW-amide was mainly in a noncompetitive and partly uncompetitive manner. 4. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) produced an inward current (Iin) with two (fast and slow) components on TAN, which was probably Na+ dependent. The fast component of the Iin was inhibited by APGW-amide. The inhibition was mainly in a noncompetitive manner. 5. The currents induced by acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and L-glutamic acid on Achatina neuron types were not affected by APGW-amide. 6. The inhibitory effects of APGW-amide on the Iin (fast component) induced by 5-HT were nearly equipotent or a bit stronger than those on the Iout caused by DA. 7. The g increase produced by APGW-amide would be a cause for inhibiting the Iout induced by DA. In addition, we consider that APGW-amide affects intracellular signal transduction systems or ionic channels, thus modulating these currents.

Blocking effects of promethazine, triprolidine and their analogues on the excitation caused by the peptide, achatin-I

An Achatina endogenous tetrapeptide, achatin-I (Gly-D-Phe-Ala-Asp), applied by brief pressure, produced an inward current (Iin) on an Achatina giant neurone type, PON (periodically oscillating neurone). Promethazine, triprolidine and their analogues tested, applied by perfusion, showed a tendency to inhibit the Iin, suggesting that the effective structures vary to a wide extent. With respect to promethazine and its analogues, the presence of 2-bromo, 5-oxo, 3-dimethylsulfamido and 2-methoxy weakened the effects. 10-(2-methylamino-2-methylethyl) instead of 10-(2-dimethylamino-2-methylethyl) of promethazine and the azepine ring instead of phenothiazine ring potentiated the effects. From the dose (pressure duration)-response study of achatin-I, the two promethazine analogues, RP 6497 and RP 6549 (the structures are shown in Fig. 1), inhibited the Iin in partly competitive and partly noncompetitive manners. Regarding triprolidine and its analogues, the compounds in Z-configuration seemed to be more effective than those in E-configuration. The presence of 4-methyl in 1-phenyl, and 1-(4-pyridyl) instead of 1-(2-pyridyl) potentiated the effects. 3-Dimethylamino instead of 3-pyrrolidino weakened the effects. The two triprolidine analogues, Trip Der 3 and Trip Der 6 (the structures in Fig. 2), inhibited the Iin in an uncompetitive manner.

Multiple intracellular signal transduction pathways mediating inward current produced by the neuropeptide, achatin-I

The effects of intracellular signal transduction system inhibitors on the inward current (Iin) caused by achatin-I (Gly-D-Phe-Ala-Asp), an Achatina endogenous tetrapeptide having a D-phenylalanine residue, applied locally onto the neurone tested, were examined under voltage clamp using two identifiable Achatina giant neurone types, v-RCDN (ventral-right cerebral distinct neurone) and PON (periodically oscillating neurone). H-89 (N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)-ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide) (adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-dependent protein kinase inhibitor) markedly suppressed the achatin-I-induced Iin on PON, whereas this drug was ineffective on the Iin of v-RCDN. Dose (pressure duration)-response study of achatin-I on PON in a physiological solution and in the presence of H-89, and Lineweaver-Burk plot of these data, indicated that H-89 inhibited the Iin in a noncompetitive manner. KT5823 (N-methyl-(8R*,9S*,11S*)-(-)-9-methoxy-9-methoxycarbonyl-8-methyl-2,3,9, 10-tetrahydro-8,11-epoxy-1H,8H,11H-2, 7b,11a-triazadibenzo[a,g]cycloocta[c,d,e]-trinden-1-on e) (guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP)-dependent protein kinase inhibitor) suppressed the achatin-I-induced Iin of v-RCDN in mainly noncompetitive and partly uncompetitive manners, but this drug had no effect on the Iin of PON. W-7 (N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene-sulfonamide) (calmodulin inhibitor) suppressed noncompetitively the Iin of PON, but this drug had no effect on the Iin of v-RCDN. IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) (cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor) enhanced the achatin-I-induced Iin of v-RCDN, but this drug was ineffective on the Iin of PON. However, IBMX might have effects on the achatin-I receptor sites on v-RCDN. These findings suggest multiple intracellular signal transduction pathways mediating the achatin-I-induced Iin: the Iin of PON is via cyclic AMP-dependent and probably Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases, and that of v-RCDN via cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase. Other signal transduction system inhibitors including calphostin C (2-[12-[2-(benzyloxy)-propyl]-3, 10-dihydro-4,9-dihydroxy-2,6,7,11-tetramethoxy-3,10-dioxo-1-per yleny]-1 -methylethyl carbonic acid 4-hydroxyphenyl ester) (protein kinase C inhibitor) did not significantly affect the Iin of both v-RCDN and PON.

Identifiable Achatina giant neurones: their localizations in ganglia, axonal pathways and pharmacological features

1. An African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac), originally from East Africa, is now found abundantly in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including Okinawa in Japan. This is one of the largest land snail species in the world. The Achatina central nervous system is composed of the buccal, cerebral and suboesophageal ganglia. The 37 giant neurones were identified in these ganglia by the series of studies conducted over about 20 years. The identifications were made by the localization of these neurones in the ganglia, their axonal pathways and their pharmacological features. 2. In the left buccal ganglion, the four giant neurones, d-LBAN, d-LBMB, d-LBCN and d-LBPN, were identified. In the left and right cerebral ganglia, d-LCDN, d-RCDN, v-LCDN and v-RCDN were identified. The suboesophageal ganglia are further composed of the left and right parietal, the visceral, the left and right pleural, and the left and right pedal ganglia. In the right parietal ganglion, PON, TAN, TAN-2, TAN-3, RAPN, d-RPLN, BAPN, LPPN, LBPN, LAPN and v-RPLN were identified. In the visceral ganglion, VIN, FAN, INN, d-VLN, v-VLN, v-VAN, LVMN, RVMN and v-VNAN were identified. In the left parietal ganglion, v-LPSN was identified. In the left and right pedal ganglia, LPeNLN, RPeNLN, d-LPeLN, d-LPeCN, d-RPeAN, d-LPeDN, d-LPeMN and d-LPeEN were identified. 3. Of the small molecule compounds tested, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, GABA, L-glutamic acid, threo- or erythro-beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid were effective on the Achatina giant neurones. We suppose that these compounds act as the neurotransmitters for these neurones. 4. Of the neuroactive peptides, achatin-I(Gly-D-Phe-Ala-Asp). APGW-amide(Ala-Pro-Gly-Trp-NH2) and Achatina cardioexcitatory peptide (ACEP-1)(Ser-Gly-Gln-Ser-Trp-Arg-Pro-Gln-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH2) were proposed as neurotransmitters, because these were effective on the Achatina giant neurones and their presence was demonstrated in the Achatina ganglia. Further, myomodulin (Pro-Met-Ser-Met-Leu-Arg-Leu-NH2), buccalin (Gly-Met-Asp-Ser-Leu-Ala-Phe-Ser-Gly-Gly-Leu-NH2), FMRFamide (Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2). [Ser2]-Mytilus inhibitory peptide ([Ser2]-MIP) (Gly-Ser-Pro-Met-Phe-Val-NH2), catch-relaxing peptide (CARP) (Ala-Met-Pro-Met-Leu-Arg-Leu-NH2), oxytocin (Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2) and small cardioactive peptideB (SCPB) (Met-Asn-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Phe-Pro-Arg-Met-NH2) could also be neurotransmitters because these peptides were also effective on the Achatina giant neurones, though their presence in the ganglia of this animal has not yet been demonstrated. 5. Calcium current (ICa) was recorded from Achatina giant neurones in the Na(+)-free solution containing K(+)-channel blockers under voltage clamp. The Ca2+ antagonistic effects of brovincamine, verapamil, eperisone, diltiazem, monatepil, etc., were compared using the ICa of the Achatina neurones. 6. Almost all of the mammalian small molecule neurotransmitters were effective on the Achatina giant neurones, suggesting that these compounds are acting on the neurones of a wide variety of animal species. However, the pharmacological features of the Achatina neurone receptors to these compounds were not fully comparable to those of the mammalian receptors. For example, we proposed that beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid (either threo- or erythro-) could be an inhibitory neurotransmitter for an Achatina neurone. 7. In contrast, the Achatina giant neurones appear to have no receptor for the mammalian neuroactive peptides, except for oxytocin and Arg-vasotocin. On the other hand, many neuroactive peptides were isolated from invertebrate nervous tissues, including achatin-I, a neuroexcitatory tetrapeptide having a D-phenylalanine residue.

Suppressing effects of neuroactive peptides on the inward current caused by achatin-I, an Achatina endogenous peptide

1. Modulatory effects of the four molluscan neuroactive peptides. FMRFamide (Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2), APGW-amide (Ala-Pro-Gly-Trp-NH2), oxytocin and [SER2]-Mytilus inhibitory peptide ([SER2]-MIP) (Gly-Ser-Pro-Met-Phe-Val-NH2) were examined on the inward current (Iin) caused by achatin-I (Gly-D-Phe-Ala-Asp), which has been isolated from the Achatina ganglia. 2. Two Achatina giant neurone types, v-RCDN (ventral-right cerebral distinct neurone) and PON (periodically oscillating neurone), were used. Achatin-I was applied locally to the neurone tested by brief pneumatic pressure ejection, and the other molluscan neuroactive peptides were perfused around the ganglia. 3. FMRFamide, perfused at 3 microM, suppressed markedly the Iin elicited by the achatin-I of both v-RCDN and PON. APGW-amide at 3 microM also suppressed the Iin of v-RCDN, but did not affect that of PON. Oxytocin at 1 microM suppressed the Iin of PON, but did not affect that of v-RCDN. [Ser2]-MIP at 3 microM did not affect the Iin of v-RCDN. 4. The dose-response curves of FMRFamide, APGW-amide and oxytocin, indicated that their respective suppressive effects on the Iin of achatin-I were dose-dependent, and that APGW-amide was slightly more potent than the other peptides. The dose (pressure duration)-response curves of achatin-I (1 kg/cm2, 10(-3) M, 5 min interval), obtained by varying the duration of the achatin-I pressure ejection, were measured in the presence and absence of each of the three peptides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blockers for excitatory effects of achatin-I, a tetrapeptide having a D-phenylalanine residue, on a snail neurone

Some histamine H1 receptor antagonists suppressed the inward current (Iin) of an Achatina identifiable neurone type, PON (periodically oscillating neurone), caused by an Achatina endogenous tetrapeptide having a D-phenylalanine residue, achatin-I (Gly-D-Phe-Ala-Asp), under voltage clamp. Achatin-I was applied locally to the neurone by brief pneumatic pressure ejection and antagonists were administered by perfusion. The dose-response curves of the effective histamine H1 antagonists indicated their potency order to suppress the Iin as follows: chlorcyclizine, promethazine, triprolidine and homochlorcyclizine > trimeprazine and clemastine > diphenylpyraline. The potent drugs were mostly piperazine and phenothiazine types. The effects of chlorcyclizine, promethazine and triprolidine on the dose (the duration of the pressure ejection)-response curve of achatin-I indicated that these drugs affected the Iin caused by achatin-I in a non-competitive manner. The antagonists for the receptors of the small-molecule neurotransmitters other than histamine H1, such as histamine H2, acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), L-glutamic acid, dopamine, alpha- and beta-adrenalin and 5-hydroxytryptamine, had no effect on the Iin caused by achatin-I.

Modulation of neuropeptide effects by achatin-I, an Achatina endogenous tetrapeptide

Achatin-I (Gly-D-Phe-L-Ala-L-Asp), an endogenous tetrapeptide in the ganglia of Achatina fulica Férussac, at 3 x 10(-6) M suppressed both the inward current (Iin) of an Achatina giant neurone, PON (periodically oscillating neurone), caused by locally ejected oxytocin, and the outward current (Iout) of v-RCDN (ventral-right cerebral distinct neurone) induced by APGW-amide. Dose (pressure duration)-response studies with oxytocin and APGW-amide showed that their ED50 values were not affected by achatin-I, whereas the Emax values were suppressed. The v-RCDN Iout caused by FMRF-amide was enhanced by achatin-I, but the same current induced by [Ser2]Mytilus inhibitory peptide ([Ser2]MIP) was not affected. Achatin-I suppressed the Iout of TAN (tonically autoactive neurone) caused by acetylcholine, but did not affect the Iin of v-RCDN elicited by acetylcholine. The Iout caused by gamma-aminobutyric acid, threo-beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid and dopamine was not affected by achatin-I. It is considered that achatin-I acts as a neuromodulator and has both suppressing and enhancing actions on the effects of various neurotransmitters, including peptides, in Achatina giant neurones.