An arginine vasotocin-like neuropeptide is present in the nervous system of the marine mollusc Aplysia californica

Abstract

Radioimmunoassays and high pressure liquid chromotography have been used to demonstrate the presence of an arginine-vasotocin-like peptide (AVT) in the anterior ganglia of Aplysia. Previously, AVT, using similar methods, was found to be present only in vertebrates. AVT when perfused over the abdominal ganglion (10 −6–10 −12M) was found to increase the bursting activity of R 15, to decrease the bursting activity of L 3–L 6 and to increase the CNS's suppressive influence over the gill withdrawal reflex evoked by siphon stimulation. The AVT present in the nervous system of Aplysia may mediate long-term suppression of gill reflex behaviors induced by factors such as satiation and, as well, regulate the activity of certain neurosecretory neurons.