Bombesin-like Neuropeptides in Nematodes

Abstract

This paper reports evidence of members of the bombesin-like peptide family in a number of nematodes, including Caenorhabditis, Panagrellus, Dirofilaria, Onchocerca, Brugia, Haemonchus, Ostertagia, Toxocara, and Ascaris. One of these (Ostertagia) secretes the bombesin-like material into its environment. Specific binding of gastrin-releasing peptide to the hypodermis consistent with the presence of receptors was demonstrated. These data suggest that this class of peptides may play an important role in nematode hypodermal physiology.