In vitro effects of methionine-enkephalin, somatostatin and insulin on cultured gonadal cells of the snail Helix aspersa.

Isolated snail gonadal cells were cultured in the presence of synthetic neuropeptides in order to determine the subsequent effect of these substances on gonadal synthetic activities. Gonadal cells were incubated for 24 h in concentrations of methionine-enkephalin, somatostatin and insulin ranging from 10(-4) M to 10(-9) M, in medium 199 supplemented with 6% Ultroser G. Synthesis of DNA and protein by the cultured cells were simultaneously estimated by measuring incorporation of 3H thymidine and 35S methionine. The rate of labelled precursor incorporation was measured using the liquid scintillation technique. All substances tested exerted a dose-dependent effect. The synthetic activity of the cultured cells was highest when the concentration of the peptides added to the medium approximated the physiological levels. Methionine-enkephalin, somatostatin and insulin at 2 x 10(-8) M significantly increased 3H thymidine incorporation, by 62%, 69% and 69% respectively, and protein synthesis by 42%, 57% and 57%, respectively. In the case of juvenile gonadal cultured cells, a similar increase in 3H and 35S incorporation was registered for a 10(-7) M peptide concentration. Both lower and higher peptide concentrations inhibited 3H thymidine and 35S methionine incorporation. Pharmacological studies suggest the existence of methionine-enkephalin and somatostatin-like receptors on snail gonadal cells. These results indicate that our gonadal cell culture model provides a useful tool for the study of the neuroendocrinological control of the activity of snail gonadal cells.