SCP-Related Peptides From Bivalve Mollusks: Identification, Tissue Distribution, and Actions

The SCPs3 are a small peptide family, characterized in gastropods, and implicated in the control of the cardiovascular system and the muscles involved in feeding and gut motility. We aimed to determine the manifestation of this peptide family in the class Bivalvia. Acetone extracts of whole bivalves were fractionated by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and reactive peaks were identified by radioimmunoassay (RIA). After purification, sequencing, and analysis by mass spectroscopy, three peptides were identified in the clam Mercenaria mercenaria: IAMSFYFPRMamide, AMSFYFPRMamide, and YFAFPRQamide4. SCP-related peptides from two other species were also sequenced: APKYFYFPRMamide and SAFYFPRMamide from an oyster, Crassostrea virginica; and AMSFYFPRMamide (identical to one of the clam peptides) from a cockle, Dinocardium robustum. The tissue distribution and pharmacological actions of the clam SCPs were determined in M. mercenaria, as follows. The levels of peptide in extracts of 12 tissues were estimated by RIA. The largest concentrations of SCP occur in the palps and the visceral ganglia; the levels in the cerebral and pedal ganglia, the rectum, intestinal typhlosole, and gills were substantially lower; and the smallest amounts were found in the heart and the style sac typhlosoles. Immunohistochemistry revealed many cell bodies in the periphery of the ganglia and fibers in the neuropil. Immunoreactive, varicose fibers also occur in the typhlosoles of the intestine and style sac, and in the rectum, gill, and palps. The atrioventricular valves, but not the atria or ventricle proper, contain immunoreactive fibers. Synthetic clam SCPs were assayed on the rectum, the typhlosoles of the intestine and style sac, and the ventricle, all isolated in an organ bath. At low to moderate doses, the SCPs relaxed the muscles of the rectum; higher doses had biphasic actions. The muscles of the intestinal and style sac typhlosoles were relaxed, and spontaneous rhythmicity was slowed by the SCPs. Most ventricles were unresponsive. We conclude that the SCPs isolated in bivalves--though distinctive--are true homologs of those in gastropods. Moreover, the bivalve peptides also serve similar roles, controlling feeding and digestion, and perhaps even cardioactivity.