Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1997-2-19
pubmed:abstractText
In general, most flatworms contain very little histamine (HA) and their nervous systems often lack, or contain very few, histaminergic elements. However, preliminary studies in our laboratory have revealed that the frog lung parasite, Haplometra cylindracea (Trematoda: Digenea), contains HA in a very high concentration. For this reason, the present study was undertaken to study the localization and synthesis of HA in this worm by using immunocytochemistry and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Essentially all parts of the nervous system of H. cylindracea showed HA-like immunoreactivity. The paired cerebral ganglia and nerves emanating from these, including the longitudinal nerve cords, were intensely immunoreactive. The musculature of the pharynx, oral and ventral suckers, and those of the reproductive organs were all innervated by HA-immunoreactive fibers. Fiber plexuses beneath the tegument and throughout the parenchyma also showed HA-like immunoreactivity. HPLC studies revealed one of the highest HA concentrations in the animal kingdom, 6.49 +/- 1.36 nmole/mg protein, in the worm. The frog lung and blood contained very low concentrations of HA and could be excluded as sources for HA, while an enzyme assay revealed that the worm produces HA by decarboxylation of histidine. Thus, it is likely that H. cylindracea uses HA as a neurotransmitter or modulator.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Sep
pubmed:issn
0021-9967
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
16
pubmed:volume
373
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
220-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2003-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
Widespread distribution of histamine in the nervous system of a trematode flatworm.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Biology, Abo Akademi University, Finland. krerikss@aton.abo.fi
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article