Effects of ganglion extracts on chloride-dependent electrical potentials and short-circuit currents across the mantle epithelium of Achatina fulica

Abstract

The left parietal and visceral ganglia of the giant African snail, Achatina fulica, and also nerves leading from them contain a compound that stimulates chloride-dependent electrogenesis by the mantle epithelium. Release of the substance in vitro is stimulated by 5–12 mM K+, provided Ca2+ is present. The active substance is inactivated by trypsin and prolonged heating, but not by brief heating or lipase. The electrical gradient was unaffected by adrenaline, acetylcholine, cyclic AMP, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, 5-hydroxytryptamine, or thyrotropin releasing factor. However, theophylline inhibited electrogenesis. It is suggested that the electrogenic transport of chloride by the mantle of Achatina may be under neuroendocrine control.