Maxadilan, the PAC1 receptor, and leishmaniasis.

Maxadilan is a vasodilator peptide isolated from sand fly salivary glands. The vasodilator effects of maxadilan are mediated by the PAC1 receptor, although maxadilan and PACAP do not share sequence homology. Sand flies are the vector of the parasitic disease leishmaniasis. The peptide aids the sand fly in obtaining a blood meal while enhancing the infectivity of leishmania parasites transmitted by this arthropod vector. Aspects of maxadilan, PAC1, and leishmaniasis are discussed.