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Journal of Experimental Biology 133,157-168 (1987)
Published by Company of Biologists 1987

Excitatory Actions of Antho-RFamide, An Anthozoan Neuropeptide, on Muscles and Conducting Systems in the Sea Anemone Calliactis Parasitica

I. D. McFARLANE 1, D. GRAFF 2, and C. J.P. GRIMMELIKHUIJZEN 2

1 Department of Zoology, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX
2 Zoological Institute, University of Heidelberg Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 6900 Heidelberg, FRG

In the sea anemone Calliactis parasitica endodermal application of the anthozoan neuropeptide Antho-RFamide (<Glu-Gly-Arg-Phe-amide), at a concentration of 10-6 or 10-7moll-1, caused a long-lasting increase in tone, contraction frequency and contraction amplitude in several slow muscle groups but had no effect on contractions in fast muscles. The effects were investigated further in isolated muscle preparations. Ectodermal application to whole animals had no effect on muscle contractions. Both ectodermal and endodermal application, at 10-7moll-1, raised electrical activity in an ectodermal conduction system, the SSI, but had no effect on an endodermal conduction system, the SS2. Electrical activity in the SS2 was increased by application at 10-6moll-1 to the endoderm but not to the ectoderm. The peptide had no effect on the through-conducting nerve net. It is concluded that contractions evoked by Antho-RFamide may be partly due to neuronal activity, but probably also involve direct excitation of the muscles. The diverse excitatory actions of Antho-RFamide suggest that it may be a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in sea anemones.

Key words: sea anemone, neuropeptide, neurotransmitter

Accepted on June 17, 1987






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1987