Identification of peptide-like substances in the Placopecten: Possible role in growth and reproduction

We have separated and quantified six putative peptide-like substances from the central nervous system (CNS), heamolymph, and gonads of the deep-sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). 2. These peptide-like substances are tentatively identified as APGWamide, YFMRFamide, FMRFamide, nLRFamide, MNYLAFPRMamide and EDPFLRFamide. 3. All six peptide-like substances are co-eluted with known external peptide standards. Two of these compounds, APGWamide and FMRFaminde, are also confirmed for their identity by dot immunobinding assay (DIA). 4. The relative abundance of these peptide-like substances in the scallop is as follows: ganglia, greater than haemolymph, greater than gonads. 5. These compounds may be involved in growth and reproduction as demonstrated by their relative changes in HPLC-UV detected peak heights after thermal shock-induced spawning in the scallop.