Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Tonicity in Animals00:59

Tonicity in Animals

129.7K
The tonicity of a solution determines if a cell gains or loses water in that solution. The tonicity depends on the permeability of the cell membrane for different solutes and the concentration of nonpenetrating solutes in the solution within and outside of the cell. If a semipermeable membrane hinders the passage of some solutes but allows water to follow its concentration gradient, water moves from the side with low osmolarity (i.e., less solute) to the side with higher osmolarity (i.e.,...
129.7K
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists01:28

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

1.8K
Prokinetic agents are specialized medications that stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility, promoting food movement through the GI tract. Dopamine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, plays a significant role in this process, reducing GI motility and indirectly controlling the speed of digestion. Dopamine receptor antagonists, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, offer a unique advantage as prokinetic agents. By blocking the dopamine receptors, these drugs increase GI motility, improving food...
1.8K
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists01:23

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists

1.3K
Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...
1.3K
Osmoregulation in Insects01:47

Osmoregulation in Insects

18.0K
Malpighian tubules are specialized structures found in the digestive systems of many arthropods, including most insects, that handle excretion and osmoregulation. The tubules are typically arranged in pairs and have a convoluted structure that increases their surface area.
18.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Pelvic limb joint motion increases with treadmill walking speed in healthy Beagles.

American journal of veterinary research·2026
Same author

Oral salmon acylated ghrelin increases food intake in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) via ghrelin receptors, likely through sensory nerves rather than systemic absorption.

Peptides·2026
Same author

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2025/26: G protein-coupled receptors.

British journal of pharmacology·2025
Same author

Does motilin primarily regulate gastrointestinal motility in fish?

General and comparative endocrinology·2025
Same author

Motilin stimulates food intake linked to gastric motility in <i>Suncus murinus</i>: Simultaneous recordings of food intake and gastric motility in the conscious state.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025
Same author

Surface electromyography of the gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, and gastrocnemius muscles during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transitions in normal Beagles.

Research in veterinary science·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Studying the Activity of Neuropeptides and Other Regulators of the Excretory System in the Adult Mosquito
11:30

Studying the Activity of Neuropeptides and Other Regulators of the Excretory System in the Adult Mosquito

Published on: August 24, 2021

3.4K

Motilin in amphibians.

Takio Kitazawa1, Hiroyuki Kaiya2

  • 1School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido 069-8501, Japan.

General and Comparative Endocrinology
|April 5, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Amphibian motilin, a GI peptide, shows structural variations and its receptors are expanding across vertebrate species. Research continues to clarify its role, especially in anurans, offering insights into gut-brain axis evolution.

Keywords:
FrogsGastrointestinal contractionMotilinMotilin receptorNewts

More Related Videos

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians
04:37

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians

Published on: May 12, 2019

16.6K
Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM
08:15

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM

Published on: December 1, 2010

31.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Studying the Activity of Neuropeptides and Other Regulators of the Excretory System in the Adult Mosquito
11:30

Studying the Activity of Neuropeptides and Other Regulators of the Excretory System in the Adult Mosquito

Published on: August 24, 2021

3.4K
Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians
04:37

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians

Published on: May 12, 2019

16.6K
Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM
08:15

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM

Published on: December 1, 2010

31.8K

Area of Science:

  • Comparative physiology
  • Evolutionary endocrinology
  • Gastrointestinal motility

Background:

  • Motilin is a gastrointestinal (GI) motility-stimulating peptide identified in mammals, mediating gastric migrating motor complexes (MMCs).
  • Motilin and its receptors are present in non-mammalian vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds, prompting comparative physiological studies.
  • Amphibian motilin is a 22-amino-acid peptide found in the upper small intestine mucosa, with structural variations observed within amphibians.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the physiological roles of amphibian motilin in GI contractions.
  • To explore the evolutionary expansion and localization shifts of motilin receptors across vertebrate species.
  • To address the discrepancy of motilin receptor presence without endogenous motilin discovery in anurans.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of motilin structure and receptor localization across vertebrate classes.
  • Review of functional studies on motilin receptor distribution in the central nervous system and GI tract.
  • Database searches for endogenous motilin in anurans.

Main Results:

  • Amphibian motilin exhibits structural variation (N-terminal residue differs between Caudata and Apoda).
  • Motilin receptors show an evolutionary expansion in localization, from intestinal mucosal cells in fish to smooth muscle cells and enteric neurons in amphibians, and further in birds/mammals.
  • Motilin receptors are found in anurans, but endogenous motilin remains undiscovered, creating a debate on its physiological role in this group.

Conclusions:

  • Amphibian motilin research is a key area for understanding the evolutionary endocrinology of the gut-brain axis.
  • The expansion of motilin receptors signifies a transition in GI motility regulation across vertebrates.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of receptor expansion, the status of motilin in anurans, and the precise roles of motilin/motilin-like receptors.