Biologically active peptides in molluscs

Abstract

The immune and neuroendocrine systems of invertebrates, as well as vertebrates, share a common pool of molecules that have been conserved throughout evolution. Now we add a new interface to this bidirectional interaction, demonstrating the involvement of the gut system, showing that these three systems use the same biologically active peptides.

Keywords

• neuropeptides; hormones; molluscs; immunocytochemistry; evolution