THE EFFECT OF CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING FACTOR AND PRO-OPIOMELANOCORTIN-DERIVED PEPTIDES ON THE PHAGOCYTOSIS OF MOLLUSCAN HEMOCYTES

The effect of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and pro-opiomelanoc ortin (POMC)-derived peptides on hemocyte phagocytosis in two molluscs , Planorbarius corneus and Viviparus ater was studied. The peptides an d related fragments examined are those which have been shown to influe nce hemocyte motility in the two species. The results obtained reveale d that the effects on phagocytosis are not directly correlated with pr evious findings on cell motility. Furthermore, the mode of action of a n individual peptide could be species-specific and dose-dependent. The relationships between peptides, locomotion and phagocytosis in these molluscs are discussed.