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Neurohormonal control of cardiac activity in the snail,Helix aspersa

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Summary

  1. 1.

    The characteristics of a cardioactive peptide(s), LCP, were investigated in the snail,Helix aspersa, to determine if LCP functions as a neurohormone.

  2. 2.

    Fractionation of isotonic homogenates of the auricle and sub-esophageal ganglia indicate that LCP is associated with microsomal elements, probably granules observed in electron micrographs of the microsomal pellets.

  3. 3.

    Ligation experiments carried out under culture conditions suggest that LCP is transported from the sub-esophageal ganglia to the auricle via the visceral nerve. The presence of colchicine in the culture media prevents this transport.

  4. 4.

    LCP is released from the sub-esophageal ganglia and the auricle by incubation in raised K media. This release is largely prevented by lowering the Ca content of the media.

  5. 5.

    LCP is released into the lumen of the auricle by electrical stimulation of the visceral nerve.

  6. 6.

    The ventricle isolated in vitro responds to LCP concentrations similar to those found in the hemolymph. Since the ventricle contains no LCP, this suggests that LCP is carried in the hemolymph from its release site to the ventricle.

  7. 7.

    The combination of these results and those of a preceding paper confirm a role for LCP as a cardioexcitatory neurohormone inHelix.

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Abbreviations

LCP:

large cardioactive peptide(s)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, University of Washington, 98195, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Philip E. Lloyd

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  1. Philip E. Lloyd
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Additional information

I wish to thank Professors L.M. Riddiford, J.W. Truman, and A.O.D. Willows for critical reading of the manuscript. I also wish to thank Gayle K. Lamppa for instructing me in the preparation of samples for, and the use of, the electron microscope. This research was supported by NSF grant BN575 13597 A02.

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Lloyd, P.E. Neurohormonal control of cardiac activity in the snail,Helix aspersa . J. Comp. Physiol. 128, 277–283 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656861

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656861

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