The effect of FMRFamide analogs on [35S]GTP-gamma-S stimulation in squid optic lobes

FaRP cell distribution in the developing CNS suggests the involvement of FaRPs in all parts of the chromatophore control pathway in Sepia officinalis (Cephalopoda)

The FMRFamide-related peptide (FaRP) family includes a wide range of neuropeptides that have a role in many biological functions. In cephalopods, these peptides intervene in the peculiar body patterning system used for communication and camouflage. This system is particularly well developed in the cuttlefish and is functional immediately after hatching (stage 30). In this study, we investigate when and how the neural structures involved in the control of body patterning emerge and combine during Sepia embryogenesis, by studying the expression or the production of FaRPs. We detected FaRP expression and production in the nervous system of embryos from the beginning of organogenesis (stage 16). The wider FaRP expression was observed concomitantly with brain differentiation (around stage 22). Until hatching, FaRP-positive cells were located in specific areas of the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS). Most of these areas were implicated in the control of body patterns, suggesting that FaRPs are involved in all parts of the neural body pattern control system, from the 'receptive areas' via the CNS to the chromatophore effectors.

AF2 interaction with Ascaris suum body wall muscle membranes involves G-protein activation

KHEYLRF-NH(2) (AF2) is the most abundant FMRFamide-related peptide (FaRP) in Ascaris suum and also in many other parasitic and free-living nematodes. The AF2 abundance in the highly diverse nematodes and its potent and profound effects on the neuromuscular systems make AF2 and its receptor(s) very attractive targets for the discovery of novel broad-spectrum anthelmintics. Although FaRP receptors are believed to belong to the large family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), to date no AF2 receptor(s) have been cloned so there is no final proof to show that they are indeed G-protein coupled. In this study, using A. suum body wall muscle membranes, we showed that: (1) AF2 effectively (EC(50) 57 nM) induced a dose-dependent stimulation of [35S]GTP gamma S binding to the membranes, which is a hallmark of G-protein activation; (2) the high affinity binding of [125I-Tyr(4)]AF2 was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by GTP with a K(i) of 10.5 nM (so-called guanine nucleotide effect, characteristic for GPCRs). Collectively, our results provide direct evidence for G-protein involvement in AF2-triggered receptor activation and thus confirm that the receptor for AF2 in A. suum is a GPCR.

Relevance of the C-terminal Arg-Phe sequence in gamma(2)-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (gamma(2)-MSH) for inducing cardiovascular effects in conscious rats

1. The cardiovascular effects by gamma(2)-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (gamma(2)-MSH) are probably not due to any of the well-known melanocortin subtype receptors. We hypothesize that the receptor for Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-amide (FMRFa) or Phe-Leu-Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-amide (neuropeptide FF; NPFFa), other Arg-Phe containing peptides, is the candidate receptor. Therefore, we studied various Arg-Phe containing peptides to compare their haemodynamic profile with that of gamma(2)-MSH(6 - 12), the most potent fragment of gamma(2)-MSH. 2. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) changes were measured in conscious rats after intravenous administration of gamma(2)-MSH related peptides. 3. Phe-Arg-Trp-Asp-Arg-Phe-Gly (gamma(2)-MSH(6 - 12)), FMRFa, NPFFa, Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe-amide (MERFa), Arg-Phe-amide (RFa), acetyl-Phe-norLeu-Arg-Phe-amide (acFnLRFa) and desamino-Tyr-Phe-norLeu-Arg-Phe-amide (daYFnLRFa) caused a dose-dependent increase in MAP and HR. gamma(2)-MSH(6 - 12) showed the most potent cardiovascular effects (ED(50)=12 nmol kg(-1) for delta MAP; 7 nmol kg(-1) for delta HR), as compared to the other Arg-Phe containing peptides (ED(50)=177 - 292 nmol kg(-1) for delta MAP; 130 - 260 nmol kg(-1) for delta HR). 4. Peptides, which lack the C-terminal Arg-Phe sequence (Lys-Tyr-Val-Met-Gly-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Asp-Arg-Pro-Gly (gamma(2)-pro(11)-MSH), desamino-Tyr-Phe-norLeu-Arg-[L-1,2,3,4 tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid]-amide (daYFnLR[TIC]a) and Met-enkephalin (ME)), were devoid of cardiovascular actions. 5. The results indicate that the baroreceptor reflex-mediated reduction of tonic sympathetic activity due to pressor effects is inhibited by gamma(2)-MSH(6 - 12) and that its cardiovascular effects are dependent on the presence of a C-terminal Arg-Phe sequence. 6. It is suggested that the FMRFa/NPFFa receptor is the likely candidate receptor, involved in these cardiovascular effects.