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Characterization of a GABAergic neurotransmission in adult Schistosoma mansoni.
- Source :
-
Parasitology [Parasitology] 2004 Aug; Vol. 129 (Pt 2), pp. 137-46. - Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- The neuromuscular systems of parasitic helminths are targets that are particularly amenable for anthelmintics. In this study, we describe a GABAergic neurotransmission in adult Schistosoma mansoni, the trematode responsible for high levels of morbidity in people living in developing countries. GABA immunoreactivity (GABA-IR) was detected in nerve cells and fibres of the cerebral ganglia and longitudinal nerve cords and the nerve plexuses ramifying throughout the parenchyma of male adult worms. In addition, strong GABA-IR was also found associated with the oral and ventral suckers as well as in testes indicating a role for GABA in fixation to the host vascular wall and spermatogenesis. The capacity to synthesize GABA from glutamate was confirmed by measurement of a glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity. Supporting these data, a single band with an apparent molecular weight of about 67 kDa was detected using an antibody raised against mammalian GAD. In vivo studies revealed that picrotoxin, a non-competitive antagonist of the GABAA receptor, produced a modification of the motility and locomotory behaviour of adult worms, suggesting that GABAergic signalling pathway may play a physiological role in the motonervous system of S. mansoni and could be considered as a potential target for the development of new drugs.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Central Nervous System Stimulants pharmacology
Glutamate Decarboxylase metabolism
Glutamic Acid metabolism
Immunoblotting
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Molecular Weight
Movement physiology
Neurons metabolism
Picrotoxin pharmacology
Signal Transduction physiology
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid biosynthesis
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid metabolism
Neurons physiology
Schistosoma mansoni physiology
Synaptic Transmission physiology
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0031-1820
- Volume :
- 129
- Issue :
- Pt 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Parasitology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 15376773
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182004005554