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Peptidergic innervation of leg muscles of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), and a possible role in modulation of muscle contraction

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Abstract

FMRFamide-related peptides of insects are particularly important because of their possible function as neurohormones and neuromodulators on a wide variety of tissues. Part of this study was an investigation of the immunofluorescent staining of motor nerves which arise in the metathoracic ganglion, examined in wholemount using an antiserum that recognizes extended -RFamide peptides (generally recognized to be of the FMRFamide family). This antiserum revealed immunochemical staining of numerous cell bodies in the metathoracic ganglion and of axons in peripheral nerve 5, a large nerve which contains both motor and sensory fibres. Axons staining positive for FMRFamide-related peptides were traced in nerve 5 as far as the femur-tibia joint, and into the first (sensory-motor) and third (motor only) ramus of nerve 5. Reverse-phase HPLC with radioimmunoassay revealed a peak of FMRFamide-related peptide activity in nerve 5 that was coincident with a peak found when thoracic ganglia were processed in the same fashion. A physiological assay was devised to test the ability of various non-native peptides to alter the characteristics of contraction of skeletal muscles of the legs. Using neurally evoked contractions of coxal depressor muscles of the metathoracic leg it was determined that several non-native peptides could potentiate muscle contractions.

The results of this study suggest that muscles of the legs receive innervation by identifiable, FMRFamide-related peptide-containing neurons and that the release of peptide(s) at the muscle may be yet another method of modulating the mechanics of muscle contraction.

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Abbreviations

D f :

fast depressor motor neuron

D s :

slow depressor motor neuron

DU M :

dorsal unpaired median

FaRPs :

FMRFamide related peptides

FEFe :

fast extensor of the femur

FFFe :

fast flexor of the femur

FITC :

fluorescein isothiocyanate

FPC :

fast promotor of the coxa

FPT :

fast flexor of the pretarsus

I 1–3 :

inhibitory motor neurons

LMS :

leucomyosuppressin, N5 nerve 5

N5r1 :

first ramus of nerve 5

PBS :

phosphate buffered saline

PLCl :

posterior lateral cluster

RIA :

radioimmunoassay

SETi :

slow extensor of the tibia

SFTi :

slow flexor of the tibia

TFA :

trifluoroacetic acid

VMCl :

ventral median cluster

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Author notes

  1. A. J. Elia

    Present address: Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tanz Neuroscience Bldg., Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 6 Queen's Park Crescent W., M5S 1A8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Zoology, University of Toronto, M5S 1A1, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    A. J. Elia & I. Orchard

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  1. A. J. Elia
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  2. I. Orchard
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Elia, A.J., Orchard, I. Peptidergic innervation of leg muscles of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), and a possible role in modulation of muscle contraction. J Comp Physiol A 176, 425–435 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219067

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219067

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