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Neuropeptide Physiology in Helminths

  • Chapter
Neuropeptide Systems as Targets for Parasite and Pest Control

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((volume 692))

Abstract

Parasitic worms come from two distinct, distant phyla, Nematoda (roundworms) and Platyhelminthes (flatworms). The nervous systems of worms from both phyla are replete with neuropeptides and there is ample physiological evidence that these neuropeptides control vital aspects of worm biology. In each phyla, the physiological evidence for critical roles for helminth neuropeptides is derived from both parasitic and free-living members. In the nematodes, the intestinal parasite Ascaris suum and the free-living Caenorhabditis elegans have yielded most of the data; in the platyhelminths, the most physiological data has come from the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs) have many varied effects (excitation, relaxation, or a combination) on somatic musculature, reproductive musculature, the pharynx and motor neurons in nematodes. Insulin-like peptides (INSs) play an essential role in nematode dauer formation and other developmental processes. There is also some evidence for a role in somatic muscle control for the somewhat heterogeneous grouping of peptides known as neuropeptide-like proteins (NLPs). In platyhelminths, as in nematodes, FLPs have a central role in somatic muscle function. Reports of FLP physiological action in platyhelminths are limited to a potent excitation of the somatic musculature. Platyhelminths are also abundantly endowed with neuropeptide Fs (NPFs), which appear absent from nematodes. There is not yet any data linking platyhelminth NPF to any particular physiological outcome, but this neuropeptide does potently and specifically inhibit cAMP accumulation in schistosomes. In nematodes and platyhelminths, there is an abundance of physiological evidence demonstrating that neuropeptides play critical roles in the biology of both free-living and parasitic helminths. While it is certainly true that there remains a great deal to learn about the biology of neuropeptides in both phyla, physiological evidence presently available points to neuropeptidergic signaling as a very promising field from which to harvest future drug targets.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroscience Program and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, 2008 Veterinary Medicine Building, Ames, Iowa, 50011-1250, USA

    Angela Mousley, Ekaterina Novozhilova, Michael J. Kimber, Tim A. Day & Aaron G. Maule

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  1. Angela Mousley
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  2. Ekaterina Novozhilova
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  3. Michael J. Kimber
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  4. Tim A. Day
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  5. Aaron G. Maule
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    Timothy G. Geary PhD

  2. Parasitology, School of Biological Sciences, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK

    Aaron G. Maule PhD

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© 2010 Landes Bioscience and Springer Science+Business Media

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Mousley, A., Novozhilova, E., Kimber, M.J., Day, T.A., Maule, A.G. (2010). Neuropeptide Physiology in Helminths. In: Geary, T.G., Maule, A.G. (eds) Neuropeptide Systems as Targets for Parasite and Pest Control. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 692. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6902-6_5

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