Two novel neuropeptides in innervation of the salivary glands of the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis: myoinhibitory peptide and SIFamide.

ABSTRACT: The peptidergic signaling system is an ancient cell-cell communication mechanism that is involved in numerous behavioral and physiological events in multicellular organisms. We identified two novel neuropeptides in the neuronal projections innervating the salivary glands of the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Say, 1821). Myoinhibitory peptide (MIP) and SIFamide immunoreactivities were colocalized in the protocerebral cells and their projections terminating on specific cells of salivary gland acini (types II and III). Immunoreactive substances were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis: a 1,321.6-Da peptide with the sequence typical for MIP (ASDWNRLSGMWamide) and a 1,395.7-Da SIFamide (AYRKPPFNGSIFamide), which are highly conserv

SUBMITTER: Simo L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3577097 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature