CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR STUDIES ON ASCARIS NEUROPEPTIDES

拟议项目的总体目标是确定 内源性神经肽对线虫行为的调控 蛔虫蛔虫中存在多种多样的神经肽，包括 至少16个家庭。 FMRFamide样肽家族包括至少 至少15名成员。在建议的补助金期间，我们计划确定 蛔虫FMRFamide样肽的作用，通过确定其位点 在单细胞水平上起作用。 使用特定的抗体，我们还将 识别含有这些肽的单个神经元，从而 鉴定细胞间信号传导系统的两半， 每个神经肽我们还计划使用几种新颖的策略， 发现新的神经肽家族;这些将包括生物测定， 将识别与先前不相关的肽的免疫测定 已鉴定的肽，以及几种化学物质的应用 修改. 对蛔虫的神经系统有基本的了解是很重要的 由于蛔虫是研究控制蛔虫的模式线虫， 线虫的运动 蛔虫运动神经系统在解剖学上 与其他线虫相似，因此可以合理地假设， 这种相似性也适用于职能一级。 通过研究 蛔虫神经肌肉系统活动的潜在机制， 以及神经肽在控制这种活性中的作用， 将发现适用于其他线虫的原则。这一基本原则 对线虫神经系统的了解将有助于 寄生生物学，并允许宿主和 寄生虫被确定的食物供应，以及他们所造成的问题， 动物和人类寄生虫，特别是在热带和经济欠发达地区， 在发达国家，这是一个重要的健康相关目标。

The overall aim of the proposed project is to determine the role of endogenous neuropeptides in the control of behavior in the nematode Ascaris. There is a wide diversity of neuropeptides in Ascaris, comprising at least 16 families. The family of FMRFamide-like peptides includes at least 15 members. In the proposed grant period we plan to determine the role of Ascaris FMRFamide-like peptides by determining their site of action at the single cell level. Using specific antibodies we will also identify the individual neurons that contain each of these peptides, thus identifying both halves of the intercellular signaling system mediated by each neuropeptide. We also plan to use several novel strategies to discover new families of neuropeptides; these will include bioassay,an immunoassay that will recognize peptides unrelated to previously identified peptides, and the application of several chemical modifications. Gaining a basic understanding of the Ascaris nervous system is important since Ascaris is a model nematode in which to investigate the control of locomotion in nematodes. The Ascaris motor nervous system is anatomically similar to that of other nematodes, so it is reasonable to assume that this similarity will also apply at the functional level. By studying the mechanisms underlying the activity of the neuromuscular system of Ascaris, and the role of neuropeptide in controlling this activity, general principles applying to other nematodes will be found. This basic understanding of the nematode nervous system will make a contribution to parasite biology, and allow differences in the biology between host and parasite to be identified on food supplies, and the problems they cause as animal and human parasites, especially in tropic and economically less- developed countries, this is an important health-related goal.