THE FMRFAMIDE-LIKE NEUROPEPTIDE AF2 IS PRESENT IN THE PARASITIC NEMATODE HAEMONCHUS-CONTORTUS

Peptides belonging to the FMRF amide family are widely distributed amo ngst invertebrates. We report here on the isolation of the FMRF amide neuropeptide AF2 (Lys-His-Glu-Tyr-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2) from thr parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. Immunocytochemical techniques showed th at FMRF amide-like material was distributed in several regions of thes e organisms including nerve cords and cell bodies of the central nervo us system. AF2 was isolated using a method that employed 6 steps oi re verse-phase HPLC. The concentration oi AF2 in this organism was approx imately 30 pmol/g of nematode.