ISSN:
1420-9071
Keywords:
Molluscan insulin-related peptides
;
schistosomin
;
neuropeptide gene family
;
generation of neuropeptide diversity
;
stimulus-dependent expression
;
information-handling capacity
;
evolution
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract We review recent experiments showing that the cerebral neuroendocrine Light Green Cells (LGCs) of the freshwater snail,Lymnaea stagnalis, express a family of distinct though related molluscan insulin-related peptide (MIP) genes. The LGCs are involved in the regulation of a wide range of interrelated life processes associated with growth, (energy) metabolism and reproduction. We consider the mechanism of generation of diversity among MIPs, and present evidence that conditions with distinct effects on growth, metabolism and reproduction also can induce distinct patterns of expression of the MIP and schistosomin genes. The stimulus-dependent expression of multiple neuropeptide genes enormously increases the adaptive potential of a peptidergic neuron. We suggest that this contributes significantly to the information-handling capacity of the brain.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01928165
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