By screening Drosophila mutants that are potentially defective in synaptic transmission between photoreceptors and their target laminar neurons, L1/L2, (lack of electroretinogram on/off transients), we identified ort as a candidate gene encoding a histamine receptor subunit on L1/L2. We provide evidence that the ort gene corresponds to CG7411 (referred to as hclA), identified in the Drosophila genome data base, by P-element-mediated germ line rescue of the ort phenotype using cloned hclA cDNA and by showing that several ort mutants exhibit alterations in hclA regulatory or coding sequences and/or allele-dependent reductions in hclA transcript levels. Other workers have shown that hclA, when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, forms histamine-sensitive chloride channels. However, the connection between these chloride channels and photoreceptor synaptic transmission was not established. We show unequivocally that hclA-encoded channels are the channels required in photoreceptor synaptic transmission by 1) establishing the identity between hclA and ort and 2) showing that ort mutants are defective in photoreceptor synaptic transmission. Moreover, the present work shows that this function of the HCLA (ORT) protein is its native function in vivo.

1. Neuron-specific expression of alternately spliced exons of the gene encoding the Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide) family of neuropeptides and the role of encoded peptides in synaptic transmission were examined in an identified cardiorespiratory interneuron, the visceral white interneuron (VWI), in the snail Lymnaea. 2. In situ hybridization using exon-specific probes showed VWI cytoplasmic expression of the exon encoding the Lymnaea heptapeptides Gly-Asp-Pro-Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (GDPFLRF amide) Ser-Asp-Pro-Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (SDPFLRF amide) but not the exon encoding the tetrapeptides FMRFamide and Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FLRFamide). 3. The absence of the tetrapeptides (FMRFamide and FLRFamide) in the VWI was indirectly confirmed by the lack of immunoreactivity to a specific antibody raised against the sequence Leu-Tyr. This sequence is present in the Lymnaea tetrapeptide precursor, but not the heptapeptide precursor. 4. The VWI has monosynaptic connections with many identifiable neurons in the CNS. These were excitatory on three clusters of identified neurons [B group (Bgp), E group (Egp), and F group (Fgp)], inhibitory on another cluster [A group (Agp)] or biphasic (excitation followed by inhibition) on a single giant neuron [right pedal dorsal 1 (RPeD1)]. 5. The role of GDPFLRFamide/SDPFLRFamide as putative neurotransmitters was examined by comparing neuronally evoked postsynaptic responses with the effects of focal peptide application. 6. The heptapeptides closely mimicked the inhibitory responses (threshold pressure pipette concentration 10(-9) M) on the Agp cells and RPeD1, including an increase in membrane conductance. FMRFamide was 1 order of magnitude less potent. GDPFLRFamide/SDPFLRFamide, applied either alone or in "cocktails" (combinations of GDPFLRFamide, SDPFLRFamide, FMRFamide, and FLRFamide), did not reproduce the excitatory effect of the VWI on the Bgp, Egp, and Fgp cells. These peptides, applied either together or separately, inhibited the cells. 7. FMRFamide or FLRFamide, but not GDPFLRFamide or SDPFLRFamide, could reproduce the initial depolarizing component of the biphasic response on RPeD1. This only occurred at concentrations of > or = 10(-4) M (10(-3) M was necessary to get spikes on RPeD1) and may not be physiologically significant. 8. We conclude that at least one so far unidentified co-transmitter must be present in the VWI to account for its full range of synaptic responses.

Infrared (IR)-spectroscopy can analyse a range of molecules in diverse biological systems and has already found use in forensic biology, clinical diagnosis, and environmental monitoring. Using IR-spectroscopy to analyse gastropod mucus represents an original application of this technique. This study describes the differences in mucus composition that appear to be species specific, as well as identifying many of the molecular components of the mucus itself. All species studied showed IR absorbance bands indicating the presence of amide bonds as well as profiles associated with the sugar side chains, indicating a commonality associated with the gel properties of pedal mucus which may have a role in locomotion. The speciesspecific band profiles may provide an indication of the differing roles required of the mucus by the specific gastropod tested.

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Mental health nurses from one particular Trust in the West Midlands were provided with a 'top-up' course in neuropharmacology and, although they found this challenging, ultimately they found this to be helpful. As nurse prescribing is 'rolled out' to other nursing specialities it is important that local Trusts and Workforce Development Directorates maintain a dialogue about nurse prescriber training to ensure that nurse prescribers receive the appropriate time and support for their ongoing Continued Professional Development. As increasing numbers of nurses from different specialities qualify as nurse prescribers it is vital that they are supported by their employing organizations and given the opportunity to maintain their competency and confidence in their prescribing practice.

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We are interested in analysing the detailed modulation of defined neuronal systems by multiple neuropeptides encoded in the FMRFamide locus of the snail Lymnaea. Cloning of the FMRFamide gene has predicted the existence of two novel peptides previously unknown from biochemical analysis, the pentapeptides EFLRlamide and QFYRlamide. These peptides may form part of a new family of peptides sharing the sequence motif -FXRlamide. In this paper we adopt a novel approach to first identify and characterize -FXRlamide-like peptides in extracts from the central nervous system of Lymnaea. By a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and continuous-flow fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, we identify three novel peptides: EFLRlamide, pQFYRlamide and pQFLRlamide. The first two are those predicted in exon II of the FMRFamide locus whereas the last is, interestingly, a product which cannot be derived from post-translational modification of the predicted peptides but must be encoded by as yet unidentified nucleotide sequences. A specific antibody raised to EFLRlamide, and immunoreactive to all three peptides, revealed EFLRlamide-like expression throughout the central nervous system in the same cells where exon II is transcribed and the peptide SEEPLY (a post-translational product of exon II) was localized. Additional cells, however, were also identified. Immunoreactivity was mapped in a number of identified neurons in the central nervous system, including two heart cardioexcitatory motoneurons, the Ehe cells (E heart excitors of the visceral ganglion) and penial motoneurons in the right cerebral ganglion. The peripheral tissues (heart and penial complex) that these respective classes of neurons innervate also exhibited EFLRlamide immunoreactivity. The central and peripheral localization of EFLRlamide-like immunoreactivity suggested that EFLRlamide/pQFYRlamide may have an important physiological role in both these peripheral systems as well as in the central nervous system. This was confirmed by physiological experiments that showed that EFLRlamide and pQFYRlamide inhibited many central neurons and in particular the Bgp neurons in the right parietal ganglion. EFLRlamide had complex biphasic effects on the frequency of heart-beat: an initial inhibitory response was followed by a long-lasting increase in the rate of beating. Taken together with earlier work, this study now completes the analysis and localization of the full set of post-translational products of the FMRFamide precursor in Lymnaea and supplies further evidence towards the characterization of the physiological systems which such peptides may modulate in concert.

The large monopolar cells (LMCs) of the first optic neuropil (lamina) in insects respond to the photoreceptor neurotransmitter histamine with an increase in chloride conductance. We have compared the properties of this conductance from a range of diptera from different visual environments: Tipula paludosa (slow flying, crepuscular), Drosophila melanogaster (slow-flying diurnal), and 3 fast-flying diurnal species Musca domestica, Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata. In whole-cell recordings of dissociated LMCs, histamineinduced currents were elicited using a multichannel parallel perfusion device, allowing rapid determination of the dose-response function, characterised by affinity (Kd) and Hill coefficient (n). Calliphora, Lucilia and Musca had the steepest dose response curves (n = 2.8) and the lowest affinity for histamine (Kd 35-50 laM); the crepuscular Tipula had a significantly higher affinity (Kd = 16p.M) and lower Hill coefficient (n = 1.8). Drosophila had a high affinity (Ka 24 jaM), and a high Hill coefficient (n = 2.5). In excised inside-out patch recordings all species showed similar single channel properties (conductance 40-60 pS, mean open time < 1 ms). The low Hill coefficient in Tipula would be expected to result in lower synaptic gain. We suggest this may be an adaptation to prevent the LMC's response bandwidth being filled with the high levels of photon noise typical of photoreceptors adapted for low light levels. The lower affinity for histamine found in the more photopic species suggests that the concentration of histamine (and therefore presumably number of synaptic vesicles released from the photoreceptors) should be higher. This might improve