Distribution of the peptide Ala-Pro-Gly-Trp-NH2 (APGWamide) in the nervous system and periphery of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis as revealed by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization.

Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to identify 200-250 central neurons that synthesize and contain the peptide APGWamide in the central nervous system of Lymnaea. The majority of these cells reside within the right anterior lobe of the cerebral ganglion and most appear to have projections to the ventral lobe of the ganglion. The neurites then branch to innervate the lobe and to send further projections into the penial nerve and to the PeIb cluster of the right pedal ganglion. The right ventral lobe also contains a cluster of about 30-40 somata, which apparently synthesize and contain APGWamide. Other populations of cells found in both the right and left anterior lobes project ipsilaterally to the pleural, parietal, and visceral ganglia. Prominent somata are also located in clusters in the visceral and right parietal ganglia. These cells project ipsilaterally into caudal neuropilar regions of the cerebral ganglia. Peripheral projections of central neurons form a dense plexus of varicose, APGWamide-containing fibres in superficial layers of the penis and preputium. Other peripheral projections were noted in the prostate and vas deferens. No peripherally located cell bodies appeared to contain or synthesize the peptide. The results show that APGWamide is widely present in the central nervous system and male reproductive organs and suggest that it plays a major role in control of reproduction.