The elusive role of l-glutamate as an echinoderm neurotransmitter: evidence for its involvement in the control of crinoid arm muscles

Iain C. Wilkie, Alice Barbaglio, Maria Daniela Candia Carnevali

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Although l-glutamate is the most widespread excitatory neurotransmitter in vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems, there is only sparse evidence that it has this role in echinoderms. Following our previous finding that l-glutamate is widely distributed in the arms of the featherstar (crinoid echinoderm) Antedon mediterranea and initiates arm autotomy (defensive detachment), we now provide evidence of glutamatergic involvement in the control of the arm muscles of the same species using immunocytochemical and physiological methods.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalZoology
Volume116
Issue number1
Early online date7 Nov 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013

Keywords

  • Antedon mediterranea
  • brachial muscles
  • Crinoidea
  • L-Glutamate-like immunoreactivity
  • rhythmic contractions

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