Annelid Neuroimmune System

Abstract

Neuropeptides have been found in nervous central or immune systems of Annelids. Since these signaling molecules are found free in the hemolymph, they are considered as hormones. Hormonal processes along with enzymatic processing similar to that found in vertebrates occur in annelids. Furthermore, amino acid sequence determination of annelids precursor gene products reveals the presence of the respective peptides that exhibit high sequence identity to their mammalian counterparts. Nevertheless, specific neuropeptides to annelids or invertebrates have also been in these animals. These peptides are flanked by potential proteolytic signal sites for the various known enzymes confirming that annelids neuropeptide precursors are processed in a similar manner to that described in mammals i.e. implicating prohormone convertase enzymes.

Biotransformation of endosulfan by the tiger worm, <i>Eisenia fetida</i>

“…Neuropeptides in the annelid nervous central systems has been well documented. These peptides are considered to have hormonal-like activity [34]. Angiotensins, oxytoxin/vasopressin peptide family, and opoids are groups of neuroendocrine signaling molecules of annelids localized in ganglionic regions [34].…”

“…These peptides are considered to have hormonal-like activity [34]. Angiotensins, oxytoxin/vasopressin peptide family, and opoids are groups of neuroendocrine signaling molecules of annelids localized in ganglionic regions [34]. Angiotensins may play an important role in enhancing the increase in body weight and in osmoregulation [35].…”

Automated Querying and Identification of Novel Peptides using MALDI Mass Spectrometric Imaging

“…34,35 Furthermore, unlike the mammalian CNS, the leech CNS has a demonstrated capacity to repair itself after injury and to restore function. 14–16 We defined the central nervous system (CNS) as the segmental ganglia, the head ganglion, and the tail ganglion in each specimen.…”

“…The leech segmental ganglia are very similar to each other and comprise of about 400 neurons, ∼180−190 pairs and ∼30 unpaired, many of which are very well characterized developmentally, anatomically, physiologically and neurochemically. , Furthermore, unlike the mammalian CNS, the leech CNS has a demonstrated capacity to repair itself after injury and to restore function. − We defined the central nervous system (CNS) as the segmental ganglia, the head ganglion, and the tail ganglion in each specimen.…”