Pharmacological characterization of the response of the leech pharynx to acetylcholine

O'Gara, Bruce A.; Abbasi, Ahlam; Kaniecki, Kristina; Sarder, Faruquzzaman; Liu, Judy; Narine, Levica H.

doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-010x(19991201)284:7<729::aid-jez2>3.0.co;2-i

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 32 publications

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“…Because FMRFamide showed a relatively higher expression in nerve cells associated with the pharynx, we can predict that feeding or contractile pharyngeal action, sensory functions, absorption, secretion and/or digestion may be mediated by the FMRFaminergic system. Interestingly, FMRFamide has also been shown to regulate the motility of the digestive system in polychaetes ( Krajniak and Greenberg, 1992 ) and the muscular contractions of the pharynx in leeches ( O’Gara et al , 1999 ). In contrast, because serotonin showed a relatively greater expression in cells associated with the posterior sucker, we can predict that animal adhesion or posterior sucker action that operates the contraction and/or sensory response of this organ may be mediated preferentially by the serotonergic system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of flatworm central nervous systems: Insights from polyclads

Quiroga

Bolaños

et al. 2015

Genet. Mol. Biol.

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The nervous systems of flatworms have diversified extensively as a consequence of the broad range of adaptations in the group. Here we examined the central nervous system (CNS) of 12 species of polyclad flatworms belonging to 11 different families by morphological and histological studies. These comparisons revealed that the overall organization and architecture of polyclad central nervous systems can be classified into three categories (I, II, and III) based on the presence of globuli cell masses -ganglion cells of granular appearance-, the cross-sectional shape of the main nerve cords, and the tissue type surrounding the nerve cords. In addition, four different cell types were identified in polyclad brains based on location and size. We also characterize the serotonergic and FMRFamidergic nervous systems in the cotylean Boninia divae by immunocytochemistry. Although both neurotransmitters were broadly expressed, expression of serotonin was particularly strong in the sucker, whereas FMRFamide was particularly strong in the pharynx. Finally, we test some of the major hypothesized trends during the evolution of the CNS in the phylum by a character state reconstruction based on current understanding of the nervous system across different species of Platyhelminthes and on up-to-date molecular phylogenies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%