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Sukumar SK, Antonydhason V, Molander L, Sandakly J, Kleit M, Umapathy G, Mendoza-Garcia P, Masudi T, Schlosser A, Nässel DR, Wegener C, Shirinian M, Palmer RH. The Alk receptor tyrosine kinase regulates Sparkly, a novel activity regulating neuropeptide precursor in the Drosophila central nervous system. eLife 2024; 12:RP88985. [PMID: 38904987 PMCID: PMC11196111 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous roles for the Alk receptor tyrosine kinase have been described in Drosophila, including functions in the central nervous system (CNS), however the molecular details are poorly understood. To gain mechanistic insight, we employed Targeted DamID (TaDa) transcriptional profiling to identify targets of Alk signaling in the larval CNS. TaDa was employed in larval CNS tissues, while genetically manipulating Alk signaling output. The resulting TaDa data were analyzed together with larval CNS scRNA-seq datasets performed under similar conditions, identifying a role for Alk in the transcriptional regulation of neuroendocrine gene expression. Further integration with bulk and scRNA-seq datasets from larval brains in which Alk signaling was manipulated identified a previously uncharacterized Drosophila neuropeptide precursor encoded by CG4577 as an Alk signaling transcriptional target. CG4577, which we named Sparkly (Spar), is expressed in a subset of Alk-positive neuroendocrine cells in the developing larval CNS, including circadian clock neurons. In agreement with our TaDa analysis, overexpression of the Drosophila Alk ligand Jeb resulted in increased levels of Spar protein in the larval CNS. We show that Spar protein is expressed in circadian (clock) neurons, and flies lacking Spar exhibit defects in sleep and circadian activity control. In summary, we report a novel activity regulating neuropeptide precursor gene that is regulated by Alk signaling in the Drosophila CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Kumar Sukumar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Vimala Antonydhason
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Linnea Molander
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Jawdat Sandakly
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of BeirutBeirutLebanon
| | - Malak Kleit
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of BeirutBeirutLebanon
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Patricia Mendoza-Garcia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Tafheem Masudi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Andreas Schlosser
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Rudolf-Virchow-Center, Center for Integrative and Translational BioimagingWürzburgGermany
| | - Dick R Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Christian Wegener
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Biocenter, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Neurobiology and GeneticsWürzburgGermany
| | - Margret Shirinian
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of BeirutBeirutLebanon
| | - Ruth H Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
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Nässel DR, Wu SF. Cholecystokinin/sulfakinin peptide signaling: conserved roles at the intersection between feeding, mating and aggression. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:188. [PMID: 35286508 PMCID: PMC8921109 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04214-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are the most diverse messenger molecules in metazoans and are involved in regulation of daily physiology and a wide array of behaviors. Some neuropeptides and their cognate receptors are structurally and functionally well conserved over evolution in bilaterian animals. Among these are peptides related to gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK). In mammals, CCK is produced by intestinal endocrine cells and brain neurons, and regulates gall bladder contractions, pancreatic enzyme secretion, gut functions, satiety and food intake. Additionally, CCK plays important roles in neuromodulation in several brain circuits that regulate reward, anxiety, aggression and sexual behavior. In invertebrates, CCK-type peptides (sulfakinins, SKs) are, with a few exceptions, produced by brain neurons only. Common among invertebrates is that SKs mediate satiety and regulate food ingestion by a variety of mechanisms. Also regulation of secretion of digestive enzymes has been reported. Studies of the genetically tractable fly Drosophila have advanced our understanding of SK signaling mechanisms in regulation of satiety and feeding, but also in gustatory sensitivity, locomotor activity, aggression and reproductive behavior. A set of eight SK-expressing brain neurons plays important roles in regulation of these competing behaviors. In males, they integrate internal state and external stimuli to diminish sex drive and increase aggression. The same neurons also diminish sugar gustation, induce satiety and reduce feeding. Although several functional roles of CCK/SK signaling appear conserved between Drosophila and mammals, available data suggest that the underlying mechanisms differ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dick R Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Shun-Fan Wu
- College of Plant Protection/Laboratory of Bio-Interactions and Crop Health, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
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Nässel DR. Leucokinin and Associated Neuropeptides Regulate Multiple Aspects of Physiology and Behavior in Drosophila. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1940. [PMID: 33669286 PMCID: PMC7920058 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leucokinins (LKs) constitute a family of neuropeptides identified in numerous insects and many other invertebrates. LKs act on G-protein-coupled receptors that display only distant relations to other known receptors. In adult Drosophila, 26 neurons/neurosecretory cells of three main types express LK. The four brain interneurons are of two types, and these are implicated in several important functions in the fly's behavior and physiology, including feeding, sleep-metabolism interactions, state-dependent memory formation, as well as modulation of gustatory sensitivity and nociception. The 22 neurosecretory cells (abdominal LK neurons, ABLKs) of the abdominal neuromeres co-express LK and a diuretic hormone (DH44), and together, these regulate water and ion homeostasis and associated stress as well as food intake. In Drosophila larvae, LK neurons modulate locomotion, escape responses and aspects of ecdysis behavior. A set of lateral neurosecretory cells, ALKs (anterior LK neurons), in the brain express LK in larvae, but inconsistently so in adults. These ALKs co-express three other neuropeptides and regulate water and ion homeostasis, feeding, and drinking, but the specific role of LK is not yet known. This review summarizes Drosophila data on embryonic lineages of LK neurons, functional roles of individual LK neuron types, interactions with other peptidergic systems, and orchestrating functions of LK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dick R Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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4
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Toprak U. The Role of Peptide Hormones in Insect Lipid Metabolism. Front Physiol 2020; 11:434. [PMID: 32457651 PMCID: PMC7221030 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipids are the primary storage molecules and an essential source of energy in insects during reproduction, prolonged periods of flight, starvation, and diapause. The coordination center for insect lipid metabolism is the fat body, which is analogous to the vertebrate adipose tissue and liver. The fat body is primarily composed of adipocytes, which accumulate triacylglycerols in intracellular lipid droplets. Genomics and proteomics, together with functional analyses, such as RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9-targeted genome editing, identified various genes involved in lipid metabolism and elucidated their functions. However, the endocrine control of insect lipid metabolism, in particular the roles of peptide hormones in lipogenesis and lipolysis are relatively less-known topics. In the current review, the neuropeptides that directly or indirectly affect insect lipid metabolism are introduced. The primary lipolytic and lipogenic peptide hormones are adipokinetic hormone and the brain insulin-like peptides (ILP2, ILP3, ILP5). Other neuropeptides, such as insulin-growth factor ILP6, neuropeptide F, allatostatin-A, corazonin, leucokinin, tachykinins and limostatin, might stimulate lipolysis, while diapause hormone-pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide, short neuropeptide F, CCHamide-2, and the cytokines Unpaired 1 and Unpaired 2 might induce lipogenesis. Most of these peptides interact with one another, but mostly with insulin signaling, and therefore affect lipid metabolism indirectly. Peptide hormones are also involved in lipid metabolism during reproduction, flight, diapause, starvation, infections and immunity; these are also highlighted. The review concludes with a discussion of the potential of lipid metabolism-related peptide hormones in pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umut Toprak
- Molecular Entomology Lab., Department of Plant Protection Ankara, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
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Gäde G, Šimek P, Marco HG. The Adipokinetic Peptides in Diptera: Structure, Function, and Evolutionary Trends. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:153. [PMID: 32296388 PMCID: PMC7136388 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nineteen species of various families of the order Diptera and one species from the order Mecoptera are investigated with mass spectrometry for the presence and primary structure of putative adipokinetic hormones (AKHs). Additionally, the peptide structure of putative AKHs in other Diptera are deduced from data mining of publicly available genomic or transcriptomic data. The study aims to demonstrate the structural biodiversity of AKHs in this insect order and also possible evolutionary trends. Sequence analysis of AKHs is achieved by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The corpora cardiaca of almost all dipteran species contain AKH octapeptides, a decapeptide is an exception found only in one species. In general, the dipteran AKHs are order-specific- they are not found in any other insect order with two exceptions only. Four novel AKHs are revealed by mass spectrometry: two in the basal infraorder of Tipulomorpha and two in the brachyceran family Syrphidae. Data mining revealed another four novel AKHs: one in various species of the infraorder Culicumorpha, one in the brachyceran superfamily Asiloidea, one in the family Diopsidae and in a Drosophilidae species, and the last of the novel AKHs is found in yet another Drosophila. In general, there is quite a biodiversity in the lower Diptera, whereas the majority of the cyclorraphan Brachycera produce the octapeptide Phote-HrTH. A hypothetical molecular peptide evolution of dipteran AKHs is suggested to start with an ancestral AKH, such as Glomo-AKH, from which all other AKHs in Diptera to date can evolve via point mutation of one of the base triplets, with one exception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerd Gäde
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Petr Šimek
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceské Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Heather G. Marco
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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6
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Bläser M, Predel R. Evolution of Neuropeptide Precursors in Polyneoptera (Insecta). Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:197. [PMID: 32373067 PMCID: PMC7179676 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides are among the structurally most diverse signaling molecules and participate in intercellular information transfer from neurotransmission to intrinsic or extrinsic neuromodulation. Many of the peptidergic systems have a very ancient origin that can be traced back to the early evolution of the Metazoa. In recent years, new insights into the evolution of these peptidergic systems resulted from the increasing availability of genome and transcriptome data which facilitated the investigation of the complete neuropeptide precursor sequences. Here we used a comprehensive transcriptome dataset of about 200 species from the 1KITE initiative to study the evolution of single-copy neuropeptide precursors in Polyneoptera. This group comprises well-known orders such as cockroaches, termites, locusts, and stick insects. Due to their phylogenetic position within the insects and the large number of old lineages, these insects are ideal candidates for studying the evolution of insect neuropeptides and their precursors. Our analyses include the orthologs of 21 single-copy neuropeptide precursors, namely ACP, allatotropin, AST-CC, AST-CCC, CCAP, CCHamide-1 and 2, CNMamide, corazonin, CRF-DH, CT-DH, elevenin, HanSolin, NPF-1 and 2, MS, proctolin, RFLamide, SIFamide, sNPF, and trissin. Based on the sequences obtained, the degree of sequence conservation between and within the different polyneopteran lineages is discussed. Furthermore, the data are used to postulate the individual neuropeptide sequences that were present at the time of the insect emergence more than 400 million years ago. The data confirm that the extent of sequence conservation across Polyneoptera is remarkably different between the different neuropeptides. Furthermore, the average evolutionary distance for the single-copy neuropeptides differs significantly between the polyneopteran orders. Nonetheless, the single-copy neuropeptide precursors of the Polyneoptera show a relatively high degree of sequence conservation. Basic features of these precursors in this very heterogeneous insect group are explained here in detail for the first time.
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Duerrauer L, Muratspahić E, Gattringer J, Keov P, Mendel HC, Pfleger KDG, Muttenthaler M, Gruber CW. I8-arachnotocin-an arthropod-derived G protein-biased ligand of the human vasopressin V 2 receptor. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19295. [PMID: 31848378 PMCID: PMC6917733 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55675-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) and their G protein-coupled receptors OTR, V1aR, V1bR, and V2R form an important and widely-distributed neuroendocrine signaling system. In mammals, this signaling system regulates water homeostasis, blood pressure, reproduction, as well as social behaviors such as pair bonding, trust and aggression. There exists high demand for ligands with differing pharmacological profiles to study the physiological and pathological functions of the individual receptor subtypes. Here, we present the pharmacological characterization of an arthropod (Metaseiulus occidentalis) OT/VP-like nonapeptide across the human OT/VP receptors. I8-arachnotocin is a full agonist with respect to second messenger signaling at human V2R (EC50 34 nM) and V1bR (EC50 1.2 µM), a partial agonist at OTR (EC50 790 nM), and a competitive antagonist at V1aR [pA2 6.25 (558 nM)]. Intriguingly, I8-arachnotocin activated the Gαs pathway of V2R without recruiting either β-arrestin-1 or β-arrestin-2. I8-arachnotocin might thus be a novel pharmacological tool to study the (patho)physiological relevance of β-arrestin-1 or -2 recruitment to the V2R. These findings furthermore highlight arthropods as a novel, vast and untapped source for the discovery of novel pharmacological probes and potential drug leads targeting neurohormone receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopold Duerrauer
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Pharmacology and Physiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Edin Muratspahić
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Pharmacology and Physiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jasmin Gattringer
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Pharmacology and Physiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Keov
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen C Mendel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kevin D G Pfleger
- Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian W Gruber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Pharmacology and Physiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. .,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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The power of neuropeptide precursor sequences to reveal phylogenetic relationships in insects: A case study on Blattodea. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 143:106686. [PMID: 31740335 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent state-of-the-art analyses in insect phylogeny have exclusively used very large datasets to elucidate higher-level phylogenies. We have tested an alternative and novel approach by evaluating the potential phylogenetic signals of identified and relatively short neuropeptide precursor sequences with highly conserved functional units. For that purpose, we examined available transcriptomes of 40 blattodean species for the translated amino acid sequences of 17 neuropeptide precursors. Recently proposed intra-ordinal relationships of Blattodea, based on the analysis of 2370 protein-coding nuclear single-copy genes (Evangelista et al., 2019), were corroborated with maximum support. The functionally different precursor units were analyzed separately for their phylogenetic information. Although the degree of information was different in the different sequence motifs, all precursor units contained phylogenetic informative data at the ordinal level, and their separate analysis did not reveal contradictory topologies. This study is the first comprehensive exploitation of complete neuropeptide precursor sequences of arthropods in such a context and demonstrates the applicability of these rather short but conserved sequences for an alternative, fast and simple analysis of phylogenetic relationships.
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Veenstra JA. Coleoptera genome and transcriptome sequences reveal numerous differences in neuropeptide signaling between species. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7144. [PMID: 31245184 PMCID: PMC6585902 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Insect neuropeptides are interesting for the potential their receptors hold as plausible targets for a novel generation of pesticides. Neuropeptide genes have been identified in a number of different species belonging to a variety of insects. Results suggest significant neuropeptide variation between different orders, but much less is known of neuropeptidome variability within an insect order. I therefore compared the neuropeptidomes of a number of Coleoptera. Methodology Publicly available genome sequences, transcriptomes and the original sequence data in the form of short sequence read archives were analyzed for the presence or absence of genes coding neuropeptides as well as some neuropeptide receptors in seventeen beetle species. Results Significant differences exist between the Coleoptera analyzed here, while many neuropeptides that were previously characterized from Tribolium castaneum appear very similar in all species, some are not and others are lacking in one or more species. On the other hand, leucokinin, which was presumed to be universally absent from Coleoptera, is still present in non-Polyphaga beetles. Conclusion The variability in neuropeptidome composition between species from the same insect order may be as large as the one that exists between species from different orders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan A Veenstra
- INCIA UMR 5287 CNRS, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, Pessac, France
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Nässel DR, Zandawala M. Recent advances in neuropeptide signaling in Drosophila, from genes to physiology and behavior. Prog Neurobiol 2019; 179:101607. [PMID: 30905728 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on neuropeptides and peptide hormones, the largest and most diverse class of neuroactive substances, known in Drosophila and other animals to play roles in almost all aspects of daily life, as w;1;ell as in developmental processes. We provide an update on novel neuropeptides and receptors identified in the last decade, and highlight progress in analysis of neuropeptide signaling in Drosophila. Especially exciting is the huge amount of work published on novel functions of neuropeptides and peptide hormones in Drosophila, largely due to the rapid developments of powerful genetic methods, imaging techniques and innovative assays. We critically discuss the roles of peptides in olfaction, taste, foraging, feeding, clock function/sleep, aggression, mating/reproduction, learning and other behaviors, as well as in regulation of development, growth, metabolic and water homeostasis, stress responses, fecundity, and lifespan. We furthermore provide novel information on neuropeptide distribution and organization of peptidergic systems, as well as the phylogenetic relations between Drosophila neuropeptides and those of other phyla, including mammals. As will be shown, neuropeptide signaling is phylogenetically ancient, and not only are the structures of the peptides, precursors and receptors conserved over evolution, but also many functions of neuropeptide signaling in physiology and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dick R Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Meet Zandawala
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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11
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De Oliveira AL, Calcino A, Wanninger A. Extensive conservation of the proneuropeptide and peptide prohormone complement in mollusks. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4846. [PMID: 30890731 PMCID: PMC6425005 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40949-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
As one of the most diverse groups of invertebrate animals, mollusks represent powerful models for neurobiological and developmental studies. Neuropeptides and peptide hormones are a heterogeneous class of signalling molecules involved in chemical communication between neurons and in neuroendocrine regulation. Here we present a fine-grained view of the molluscan neuropeptide and peptide hormone toolkit. Our results expand the distribution of several peptide families (e.g., prokineticin, insulin-related peptides, prohormone-4, LFRFamide) within Lophotrochozoa and provide evidence for an early origin of others (e.g., GNXQN/prohormone-2, neuroparsin). We identified a new peptide family broadly distributed among conchiferan mollusks, the PXRX family. We found the Wnt antagonist dickkopf1/2/4 ortholog in lophotrochozoans and nematodes and reveal that the egg-laying hormone family is a DH44 homolog restricted to gastropods. Our data demonstrate that numerous peptides evolved much earlier than previously assumed and that key signalling elements are extensively conserved among extant mollusks.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L De Oliveira
- Department of Integrative Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - A Calcino
- Department of Integrative Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - A Wanninger
- Department of Integrative Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
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12
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Thiel D, Franz-Wachtel M, Aguilera F, Hejnol A. Xenacoelomorph Neuropeptidomes Reveal a Major Expansion of Neuropeptide Systems during Early Bilaterian Evolution. Mol Biol Evol 2018. [PMCID: PMC6188537 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msy160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides are neurosecretory signaling molecules in protostomes and deuterostomes (together Nephrozoa). Little, however, is known about the neuropeptide complement of the sister group of Nephrozoa, the Xenacoelomorpha, which together form the Bilateria. Because members of the xenacoelomorph clades Xenoturbella, Nemertodermatida, and Acoela differ extensively in their central nervous system anatomy, the reconstruction of the xenacoelomorph and bilaterian neuropeptide complements may provide insights into the relationship between nervous system evolution and peptidergic signaling. Here, we analyzed transcriptomes of seven acoels, four nemertodermatids, and two Xenoturbella species using motif searches, similarity searches, mass spectrometry and phylogenetic analyses to characterize neuropeptide precursors and neuropeptide receptors. Our comparison of these repertoires with previously reported nephrozoan and cnidarian sequences shows that the majority of annotated neuropeptide GPCRs in cnidarians are not orthologs of specific bilaterian neuropeptide receptors, which suggests that most of the bilaterian neuropeptide systems evolved after the cnidarian–bilaterian evolutionary split. This expansion of more than 20 peptidergic systems in the stem leading to the Bilateria predates the evolution of complex nephrozoan organs and nervous system architectures. From this ancient set of neuropeptides, acoels show frequent losses that correlate with their divergent central nervous system anatomy. We furthermore detected the emergence of novel neuropeptides in xenacoelomorphs and their expansion along the nemertodermatid and acoel lineages, the two clades that evolved nervous system condensations. Together, our study provides fundamental insights into the early evolution of the bilaterian peptidergic systems, which will guide future functional and comparative studies of bilaterian nervous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Thiel
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Felipe Aguilera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Andreas Hejnol
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Zandawala M, Moghul I, Yañez Guerra LA, Delroisse J, Abylkassimova N, Hugall AF, O'Hara TD, Elphick MR. Discovery of novel representatives of bilaterian neuropeptide families and reconstruction of neuropeptide precursor evolution in ophiuroid echinoderms. Open Biol 2018; 7:rsob.170129. [PMID: 28878039 PMCID: PMC5627052 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.170129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides are a diverse class of intercellular signalling molecules that mediate neuronal regulation of many physiological and behavioural processes. Recent advances in genome/transcriptome sequencing are enabling identification of neuropeptide precursor proteins in species from a growing variety of animal taxa, providing new insights into the evolution of neuropeptide signalling. Here, detailed analysis of transcriptome sequence data from three brittle star species, Ophionotus victoriae, Amphiura filiformis and Ophiopsila aranea, has enabled the first comprehensive identification of neuropeptide precursors in the class Ophiuroidea of the phylum Echinodermata. Representatives of over 30 bilaterian neuropeptide precursor families were identified, some of which occur as paralogues. Furthermore, homologues of endothelin/CCHamide, eclosion hormone, neuropeptide-F/Y and nucleobinin/nesfatin were discovered here in a deuterostome/echinoderm for the first time. The majority of ophiuroid neuropeptide precursors contain a single copy of a neuropeptide, but several precursors comprise multiple copies of identical or non-identical, but structurally related, neuropeptides. Here, we performed an unprecedented investigation of the evolution of neuropeptide copy number over a period of approximately 270 Myr by analysing sequence data from over 50 ophiuroid species, with reference to a robust phylogeny. Our analysis indicates that the composition of neuropeptide ‘cocktails’ is functionally important, but with plasticity over long evolutionary time scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meet Zandawala
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Ismail Moghul
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Luis Alfonso Yañez Guerra
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Jérôme Delroisse
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Nikara Abylkassimova
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Andrew F Hugall
- Museums Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Timothy D O'Hara
- Museums Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Maurice R Elphick
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
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14
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Kim CH, Go HJ, Oh HY, Elphick MR, Park NG. Identification of evolutionarily conserved residues required for the bioactivity of a pedal peptide/orcokinin-type neuropeptide. Peptides 2018. [PMID: 29535005 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pedal peptides and orcokinins are structurally related neuropeptides that were first discovered in protostomian invertebrates - mollusks and arthropods, respectively. Recently, pedal peptide/ocokinin (PP/OK)-type neuropeptides were discovered in a deuterostomian phylum, the echinoderms, indicating that the evolutionary origin of this neuropeptide family can be traced back to the common ancestor of bilaterian animals. Sequences comparison of PP/OK-type neuropeptides reveals several conserved residues, including N- and C-terminally located hydrophobic residues that are important for the bioactivity of orcokinin. Here we report the first comprehensive analysis of the structure-activity relationships of a PP/OK-type neuropeptide - starfish myorelaxant peptide (SMP; FGKGGAYDPLSAGFTD) from the starfish Patiria pectinifera (Phylum Echinodermata). Comparison of the bioactivity of SMP with N-terminally and/or C-terminally truncated and alanine-substituted SMP analogs revealed a core peptide (GAYDPLSAGF; SMP(5-14)) that retains the muscle-relaxing activity of SMP, albeit with reduced potency and efficacy. Within this core peptide, alanine-substitution of several residues resulted in complete or partial loss of bioactivity, whilst loss or substitution of the N-terminal phenylalanine residue of SMP also caused a substantial reduction in bioactivity. Furthermore, analysis of the bioactivity of other SMP-like peptides derived from the same precursor as SMP revealed that none of these were more potent/effective than SMP as muscle relaxants. In conclusion, we have identified key residues required for the bioactivity of a PP/OK-type neuropeptide (SMP), including hydrophobic residues located in the N- and C-terminal regions that are conserved in PP/OK-type peptides from other phyla as well as core residues that are conserved in echinoderm PP/OK-type peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Hee Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Jin Go
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Young Oh
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Maurice R Elphick
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Nam Gyu Park
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Christ P, Hill SR, Schachtner J, Hauser F, Ignell R. Functional characterization of mosquito short neuropeptide F receptors. Peptides 2018; 103:31-39. [PMID: 29550617 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mosquito blood feeding transiently inhibits sugar- and host seeking through neuropeptide signaling. Short neuropeptide F (sNPF) is one of the neuromodulators involved in this regulation. Here, we identified the genes for the sNPF precursor and the sNPF receptor in the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. Comparative analyses are made with the genes of the sNPF precursor and receptor from two other important vectors, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles coluzzii. We functionally characterized the receptors in all three species using endogenous neuropeptides, and quantified their transcript expression following a blood meal and a sugar meal. Our analysis reveals several Cx. quinquefasciatus-specific duplications of the sNPF-3 isoform on the sNPF precursor, which are not reflected in the precursors of the other two species. In contrast, the structure of the sNPF receptors is highly conserved within mosquitoes, and a putative ligand binding region is proposed and discussed. Reflecting the high structural conservation, the sNPF receptor sensitivity to endogenous sNPF isoforms is conserved across mosquito species. Using quantitative real time PCR, we demonstrate that transcript abundance of the sNPF receptor and precursor is regulated following feeding, only in Cx. quinquefasciatus. We discuss our findings in relation to previous work on sNPF signaling and its role in feeding regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Christ
- Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 102, Sundsvägen 14, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden.
| | - Sharon R Hill
- Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 102, Sundsvägen 14, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden.
| | - Joachim Schachtner
- Neurobiology/Ethology, Department of Biology, Philipps University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 8, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Frank Hauser
- Center for Functional and Comparative Insect Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Rickard Ignell
- Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 102, Sundsvägen 14, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden.
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16
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Nässel DR. Substrates for Neuronal Cotransmission With Neuropeptides and Small Molecule Neurotransmitters in Drosophila. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:83. [PMID: 29651236 PMCID: PMC5885757 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been known for more than 40 years that individual neurons can produce more than one neurotransmitter and that neuropeptides often are colocalized with small molecule neurotransmitters (SMNs). Over the years much progress has been made in understanding the functional consequences of cotransmission in the nervous system of mammals. There are also some excellent invertebrate models that have revealed roles of coexpressed neuropeptides and SMNs in increasing complexity, flexibility, and dynamics in neuronal signaling. However, for the fly Drosophila there are surprisingly few functional studies on cotransmission, although there is ample evidence for colocalization of neuroactive compounds in neurons of the CNS, based both on traditional techniques and novel single cell transcriptome analysis. With the hope to trigger interest in initiating cotransmission studies, this review summarizes what is known about Drosophila neurons and neuronal circuits where different neuropeptides and SMNs are colocalized. Coexistence of neuroactive substances has been recorded in different neuron types such as neuroendocrine cells, interneurons, sensory cells and motor neurons. Some of the circuits highlighted here are well established in the analysis of learning and memory, circadian clock networks regulating rhythmic activity and sleep, as well as neurons and neuroendocrine cells regulating olfaction, nociception, feeding, metabolic homeostasis, diuretic functions, reproduction, and developmental processes. One emerging trait is the broad role of short neuropeptide F in cotransmission and presynaptic facilitation in a number of different neuronal circuits. This review also discusses the functional relevance of coexisting peptides in the intestine. Based on recent single cell transcriptomics data, it is likely that the neuronal systems discussed in this review are just a fraction of the total set of circuits where cotransmission occurs in Drosophila. Thus, a systematic search for colocalized neuroactive compounds in further neurons in anatomically defined circuits is of interest for the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dick R Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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17
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Rogers DW, McConnell E, Miller EL, Greig D. Diminishing Returns on Intragenic Repeat Number Expansion in the Production of Signaling Peptides. Mol Biol Evol 2017; 34:3176-3185. [PMID: 28961820 PMCID: PMC5850478 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msx243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling peptides enable communication between cells, both within and between individuals, and are therefore key to the control of complex physiological and behavioral responses. Since their small sizes prevent direct transmission to secretory pathways, these peptides are often produced as part of a larger polyprotein comprising precursors for multiple related or identical peptides; the physiological and behavioral consequences of this unusual gene structure are not understood. Here, we show that the number of mature-pheromone-encoding repeats in the yeast α-mating-factor gene MFα1 varies considerably between closely related isolates of both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its sister species Saccharomyces paradoxus. Variation in repeat number has important phenotypic consequences: Increasing repeat number caused higher pheromone production and greater competitive mating success. However, the magnitude of the improvement decreased with increasing repeat number such that repeat amplification beyond that observed in natural isolates failed to generate more pheromone, and could actually reduce sexual fitness. We investigate multiple explanations for this pattern of diminishing returns and find that our results are most consistent with a translational trade-off: Increasing the number of encoded repeats results in more mature pheromone per translation event, but also generates longer transcripts thereby reducing the rate of translation—a phenomenon known as length-dependent translation. Length-dependent translation may be a powerful constraint on the evolution of genes encoding repetitive or modular proteins, with important physiological and behavioral consequences across eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Rogers
- Experimental Evolution Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany.,Department of Evolutionary Theory, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Ellen McConnell
- Experimental Evolution Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany.,Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Eric L Miller
- Experimental Evolution Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge Veterinary School, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan Greig
- Experimental Evolution Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany.,Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Ons S. Neuropeptides in the regulation of Rhodnius prolixus physiology. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 97:77-92. [PMID: 27210592 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Revised: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus, events such as diuresis, antidiuresis, development and reproduction are triggered by blood feeding. Hence, these events can be accurately timed, facilitating physiological experiments. This, combined with its relatively big size, makes R. prolixus an excellent model in insect neuroendocrinological studies. The importance of R. prolixus as a Chagas' disease vector as much as an insect model has motivated the sequencing of its genome in recent years, facilitating genetic and molecular studies. Most crucial physiological processes are regulated by the neuroendocrine system, composed of neuropeptides and their receptors. The identification and characterization of neuropeptides and their receptors could be the first step to find targets for new insecticides. The sequences of 41 neuropeptide precursor genes and the receptors for most of them were identified in the R. prolixus genome. Functional information about many of these molecules was obtained, whereas many neuroendocrine systems are still unstudied in this model species. This review addresses the knowledge available to date regarding the structure, distribution, expression and physiological effects of neuropeptides in R. prolixus, and points to future directions in this research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Ons
- Laboratory of Insects Neurobiology, National Center for Genomic Studies, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata, Bvd 120 1459, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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19
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Wulff JP, Sierra I, Sterkel M, Holtof M, Van Wielendaele P, Francini F, Broeck JV, Ons S. Orcokinin neuropeptides regulate ecdysis in the hemimetabolous insect Rhodnius prolixus. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 81:91-102. [PMID: 28089691 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
To grow and develop insects must undergo ecdysis. During this process, the individual sheds the old cuticle to emerge as the following developmental stage. During ecdysis, different programed behaviors are regulated by neuropeptidergic pathways. In general, components of these pathways are better characterized in crustacean and holometabolous insects than in hemimetabola. In insects, the orkoninin gene produces two different neuropeptide precursors by alternative splicing: orcokinin A and orcokinin B. Although orcokinins are well conserved in insect species, their physiological role remains elusive. Here we describe a new splicing variant of the orcokinin gene in the hemimetabolous triatomine Rhodnius prolixus. We further analyze the expression pattern and the function of the alternatively spliced RhoprOK transcripts by means of immunohistochemistry and RNAi-mediated gene silencing. Our results indicate that orkoninis play an essential role in the peptidergic signaling pathway regulating ecdysis in the hemimetabolous insect Rhodnius prolixus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pedro Wulff
- Laboratory of Genetics and Functional Genomics, Regional Center for Genomic Studies, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata, Bvd 120 y 62, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Ivana Sierra
- Laboratory of Genetics and Functional Genomics, Regional Center for Genomic Studies, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata, Bvd 120 y 62, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Marcos Sterkel
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, bloco D, Prédio do CCS, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Michiel Holtof
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Pieter Van Wielendaele
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Flavio Francini
- Centre of Experimental and Applied Endocrinology, National University of La Plata, School of Medicine, 60 Street y 120, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sheila Ons
- Laboratory of Genetics and Functional Genomics, Regional Center for Genomic Studies, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata, Bvd 120 y 62, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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20
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Traverso L, Sierra I, Sterkel M, Francini F, Ons S. Neuropeptidomics in Triatoma infestans. Comparative transcriptomic analysis among triatomines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 110:83-98. [PMID: 27993629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Chagas' disease, affecting up to 6-7 million people worldwide, is transmitted to humans through the feces of triatomine kissing bugs. From these, Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma dimidiata, Triatoma infestans and Triatoma pallidipennis are important vectors distributed throughout the Latin American subcontinent. Resistance to pyrethroids has been developed by some triatomine populations, especially T. infestans, obstructing their control. Given their role in the regulation of physiological processes, neuroendocrine-derived factors have been proposed as a source of molecular targets for new-generation insecticides. However, the involvement of neuropeptides in insecticide metabolism and resistance in insects has been poorly studied. In the present work, the sequences of 20 neuropeptide precursor genes in T. infestans, 16 in T. dimidiata, and 13 in T. pallidipennis detected in transcriptomic databases are reported, and a comparative analysis in triatomines is presented. A total of 59 neuropeptides were validated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in brain and nervous ganglia from T. infestans, revealing the existence of differential post-translational modifications, extended and truncated forms. The results suggest a high sequence conservation in some neuropeptide systems in triatomines, whereas remarkable differences occur in several others within the core domains. Comparisons of the basal expression levels for several neuropeptide precursor genes between pyrethroid sensitive and resistant population of T. infestans are also presented here, in order to introduce a proof of concept to test the involvement of neuropeptides in insecticide resistance. From the precursors tested, NVP and ITG peptides are significantly higher expressed in the resistant population. To our knowledge, this is the first report to associate differential neuropeptide expression with insecticide resistance. The information provided here contributes to creating conditions to widely extend functional and genetic studies involving neuropeptides in triatomines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucila Traverso
- Laboratory of Insect Neurobiology, Regional Center for Genomic Studies, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata, Bvd 120 N(o). 1459, CP: 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ivana Sierra
- Laboratory of Insect Neurobiology, Regional Center for Genomic Studies, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata, Bvd 120 N(o). 1459, CP: 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Marcos Sterkel
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, bloco D. Prédio do CCS, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Flavio Francini
- Center of Experimental and Applied Endocrinology, CONICET-CCT La Plata, National University of La Plata, 60 and 120 Street, CP: 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Sheila Ons
- Laboratory of Insect Neurobiology, Regional Center for Genomic Studies, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata, Bvd 120 N(o). 1459, CP: 1900, La Plata, Argentina.
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21
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Hallier B, Schiemann R, Cordes E, Vitos-Faleato J, Walter S, Heinisch JJ, Malmendal A, Paululat A, Meyer H. Drosophila neprilysins control insulin signaling and food intake via cleavage of regulatory peptides. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27919317 PMCID: PMC5140268 DOI: 10.7554/elife.19430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin and IGF signaling are critical to numerous developmental and physiological processes, with perturbations being pathognomonic of various diseases, including diabetes. Although the functional roles of the respective signaling pathways have been extensively studied, the control of insulin production and release is only partially understood. Herein, we show that in Drosophila expression of insulin-like peptides is regulated by neprilysin activity. Concomitant phenotypes of altered neprilysin expression included impaired food intake, reduced body size, and characteristic changes in the metabolite composition. Ectopic expression of a catalytically inactive mutant did not elicit any of the phenotypes, which confirms abnormal peptide hydrolysis as a causative factor. A screen for corresponding substrates of the neprilysin identified distinct peptides that regulate insulin-like peptide expression, feeding behavior, or both. The high functional conservation of neprilysins and their substrates renders the characterized principles applicable to numerous species, including higher eukaryotes and humans. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19430.001 The hormone insulin and similar molecules called insulin-like peptides act as signals to control many processes in the body, including growth, stress responses and aging. Disrupting these signaling pathways can cause many diseases, with diabetes being the most common of these. Although the roles of the signaling pathways have been well studied, it is less clear how the body controls the production of insulin and insulin-like peptides. Neprilysins are enzymes that can cut other proteins and peptides by a process known as hydrolysis. Their targets (known as “substrates”) include peptides that regulate a range of cell processes, and neprilysins have therefore been linked with many diseases. Fruit flies have at least five different neprilysin enzymes, but their substrates have not yet been identified. One of these, known as Nep4A, is produced in muscle tissue and appears to be important for muscles to work properly. Hallier, Schiemann et al. reveal that Nep4A regulates the production of insulin-like peptides. The experiments used fruit fly larvae that had been genetically engineered so that the level of Nep4A could be altered in muscle tissue. Larvae with very high or very low levels of Nep4A eat less food, have smaller bodies and produce different amounts of insulin-like peptides compared to normal larvae. Further experiments show that Nep4A can hydrolyze a number of peptides that regulate the production and the release of insulin-like peptides. This suggests that the enzymatic activity of neprilysins plays a direct role in controlling the production of insulin. The next challenge is to find out whether these findings apply to humans and other animals that also have neprilysins. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19430.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Hallier
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Ronja Schiemann
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Eva Cordes
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Jessica Vitos-Faleato
- Department of Biomedical Research, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefan Walter
- Department of Microbiology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | | | - Anders Malmendal
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Achim Paululat
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Heiko Meyer
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
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22
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Schmitt F, Vanselow JT, Schlosser A, Wegener C, Rössler W. Neuropeptides in the desert antCataglyphis fortis: Mass spectrometric analysis, localization, and age-related changes. J Comp Neurol 2016; 525:901-918. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Schmitt
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter; University of Würzburg; D-97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Jens T. Vanselow
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine; University of Würzburg; D-97080 Würzburg Germany
| | - Andreas Schlosser
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine; University of Würzburg; D-97080 Würzburg Germany
| | - Christian Wegener
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter; University of Würzburg; D-97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Wolfgang Rössler
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter; University of Würzburg; D-97074 Würzburg Germany
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23
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Koziol U, Koziol M, Preza M, Costábile A, Brehm K, Castillo E. De novo discovery of neuropeptides in the genomes of parasitic flatworms using a novel comparative approach. Int J Parasitol 2016; 46:709-21. [PMID: 27388856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide mediated signalling is an ancient mechanism found in almost all animals and has been proposed as a promising target for the development of novel drugs against helminths. However, identification of neuropeptides from genomic data is challenging, and knowledge of the neuropeptide complement of parasitic flatworms is still fragmentary. In this work, we have developed an evolution-based strategy for the de novo discovery of neuropeptide precursors, based on the detection of localised sequence conservation between possible prohormone convertase cleavage sites. The method detected known neuropeptide precursors with good precision and specificity in the models Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. Furthermore, it identified novel putative neuropeptide precursors in nematodes, including the first description of allatotropin homologues in this phylum. Our search for neuropeptide precursors in the genomes of parasitic flatworms resulted in the description of 34 conserved neuropeptide precursor families, including 13 new ones, and of hundreds of new homologues of known neuropeptide precursor families. Most neuropeptide precursor families show a wide phylogenetic distribution among parasitic flatworms and show little similarity to neuropeptide precursors of other bilaterian animals. However, we could also find orthologs of some conserved bilaterian neuropeptides including pyrokinin, crustacean cardioactive peptide, myomodulin, neuropeptide-Y, neuropeptide KY and SIF-amide. Finally, we determined the expression patterns of seven putative neuropeptide precursor genes in the protoscolex of Echinococcus multilocularis. All genes were expressed in the nervous system with different patterns, indicating a hidden complexity of peptidergic signalling in cestodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uriel Koziol
- Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, CP11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Miguel Koziol
- Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, CP11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Matías Preza
- Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, CP11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alicia Costábile
- Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, CP11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Klaus Brehm
- University of Würzburg, Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2 / Bau E1, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Estela Castillo
- Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, CP11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
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Ons S, Lavore A, Sterkel M, Wulff JP, Sierra I, Martínez-Barnetche J, Rodriguez MH, Rivera-Pomar R. Identification of G protein coupled receptors for opsines and neurohormones in Rhodnius prolixus. Genomic and transcriptomic analysis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 69:34-50. [PMID: 25976540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The importance of Chagas disease motivated the scientific effort to obtain the complete genomic sequence of the vector species Rhodnius prolixus, this information is also relevant to the understanding of triatomine biology in general. The central nervous system is the key regulator of insect physiology and behavior. Neurohormones (neuropeptides and biogenic amines) are the chemical messengers involved in the regulation and integration of neuroendocrine signals. In insects, this signaling is mainly mediated by the interaction of neurohormone ligands with G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). The recently sequenced R. prolixus genome provides us with the opportunity to analyze this important family of genes in triatomines, supplying relevant information for further functional studies. Next-generation sequencing methods offer an excellent opportunity for transcriptomic exploration in key organs and tissues in the presence of a reference genome as well as when a reference genome is not available. We undertook a genomic analysis to obtain a genome-wide inventory of opsines and the GPCRs for neurohormones in R. prolixus. Furthermore, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of R. prolixus central nervous system, focusing on neuropeptide precursor genes and neurohormone and opsines GPCRs. In addition, we mined the whole transcriptomes of Triatoma dimidiata, Triatoma infestans and Triatoma pallidipennis - three sanitary relevant triatomine species - to identify neuropeptide precursors and GPCRs genes. Our study reveals a high degree of sequence conservation in the molecular components of the neuroendocrine system of triatomines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Ons
- Laboratorio de Genética y Genómica Funcional, Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd 120 y 62, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Andrés Lavore
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Experimentales, Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Monteagudo 2772, 2700 Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Marcos Sterkel
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, bloco D. Prédio do CCS, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Juan Pedro Wulff
- Laboratorio de Genética y Genómica Funcional, Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd 120 y 62, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Ivana Sierra
- Laboratorio de Genética y Genómica Funcional, Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd 120 y 62, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Jesús Martínez-Barnetche
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655, Sta. María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
| | - Mario Henry Rodriguez
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655, Sta. María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
| | - Rolando Rivera-Pomar
- Laboratorio de Genética y Genómica Funcional, Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd 120 y 62, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Experimentales, Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Monteagudo 2772, 2700 Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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De Haes W, Van Sinay E, Detienne G, Temmerman L, Schoofs L, Boonen K. Functional neuropeptidomics in invertebrates. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2014; 1854:812-26. [PMID: 25528324 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2014.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are key messengers in almost all physiological processes. They originate from larger precursors and are extensively processed to become bioactive. Neuropeptidomics aims to comprehensively identify the collection of neuropeptides in an organism, organ, tissue or cell. The neuropeptidome of several invertebrates is thoroughly explored since they are important model organisms (and models for human diseases), disease vectors and pest species. The charting of the neuropeptidome is the first step towards understanding peptidergic signaling. This review will first discuss the latest developments in exploring the neuropeptidome. The physiological roles and modes of action of neuropeptides can be explored in two ways, which are largely orthogonal and therefore complementary. The first way consists of inferring the functions of neuropeptides by a forward approach where neuropeptide profiles are compared under different physiological conditions. Second is the reverse approach were neuropeptide collections are used to screen for receptor-binding. This is followed by localization studies and functional tests. This review will focus on how these different functional screening methods contributed to the field of invertebrate neuropeptidomics and expanded our knowledge of peptidergic signaling. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Neuroproteomics: Applications in Neuroscience and Neurology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter De Haes
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elien Van Sinay
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giel Detienne
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Temmerman
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kurt Boonen
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Elphick MR. SALMFamide salmagundi: the biology of a neuropeptide family in echinoderms. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014; 205:23-35. [PMID: 24583124 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The SALMFamides are a family of neuropeptides that occur in species belonging to the phylum Echinodermata. The prototypes for this neuropeptide family (S1 and S2) were discovered in starfish but subsequently SALMFamides were identified in other echinoderms. There are two types of SALMFamides: L-type, which have the C-terminal motif SxLxFamide, and F-type, which have the C-terminal motif SxFxFamide. They are derived from two types of precursor proteins: an L-type SALMFamide precursor, which comprises only L-type or L-type-like SALMFamides and an F-type SALMFamide precursor, which contains several F-type or F-type-like SALMFamides and, typically, one or more L-type SALMFamides. Thus, SALMFamides occur as heterogeneous mixtures of neuropeptides - a SALMFamide salmagundi. SALMFamides are produced by distinct populations of neurons in echinoderm larval and adult nervous systems and are present in the innervation of neuromuscular organs. Both L-type and F-type SALMFamides cause muscle relaxation in echinoderms and, for example, in starfish this effect of SALMFamides may mediate neural control of cardiac stomach eversion in species that feed extra-orally (e.g., Asterias rubens). The SALMFamide S1 also causes inhibition of neural release of a relaxin-like gonadotropin in the starfish Asterina pectinifera. An important issue that remains to be resolved are the relationships of SALMFamides with neuropeptides that have been identified in other phyla. However, it has been noted that the C-terminal SxLxFamide motif of L-type SALMFamides is a feature of some members of a bilaterian neuropeptide family that includes gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) in vertebrates and SIFamide-type neuropeptides in protostomes. Similarly, the C-terminal FxFamide motif of F-type SALMFamides is a feature of vertebrate QRFP (26RFa)-type neuropeptides. These sequence similarities may provide a basis for molecular identification of receptors that mediate effects of SALMFamides. Furthermore, analysis of the actions of the heterogeneous mixtures of SALMFamides that occur in echinoderms may provide new insights into the physiological significance of the general phenomenon of precursor proteins that give rise to neuropeptide "cocktails".
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurice R Elphick
- Queen Mary University of London, School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
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Bioactivity and structural properties of chimeric analogs of the starfish SALMFamide neuropeptides S1 and S2. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2014; 1844:1842-50. [PMID: 25110179 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Revised: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The starfish SALMFamide neuropeptides S1 (GFNSALMFamide) and S2 (SGPYSFNSGLTFamide) are the prototypical members of a family of neuropeptides that act as muscle relaxants in echinoderms. Comparison of the bioactivity of S1 and S2 as muscle relaxants has revealed that S2 is ten times more potent than S1. Here we investigated a structural basis for this difference in potency by comparing the bioactivity and solution conformations (using NMR and CD spectroscopy) of S1 and S2 with three chimeric analogs of these peptides. A peptide comprising S1 with the addition of S2's N-terminal tetrapeptide (Long S1 or LS1; SGPYGFNSALMFamide) was not significantly different to S1 in its bioactivity and did not exhibit concentration-dependent structuring seen with S2. An analog of S1 with its penultimate residue substituted from S2 (S1(T); GFNSALTFamide) exhibited S1-like bioactivity and structure. However, an analog of S2 with its penultimate residue substituted from S1 (S2(M); SGPYSFNSGLMFamide) exhibited loss of S2-type bioactivity and structural properties. Collectively, our data indicate that the C-terminal regions of S1 and S2 are the key determinants of their differing bioactivity. However, the N-terminal region of S2 may influence its bioactivity by conferring structural stability in solution. Thus, analysis of chimeric SALMFamides has revealed how neuropeptide bioactivity is determined by a complex interplay of sequence and conformation.
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Faisal MN, Hoffmann J, El-Kholy S, Kallsen K, Wagner C, Bruchhaus I, Fink C, Roeder T. Transcriptional regionalization of the fruit fly's airway epithelium. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102534. [PMID: 25020150 PMCID: PMC4097054 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although airway epithelia are primarily devoted to gas exchange, they have to fulfil a number of different tasks including organ maintenance and the epithelial immune response to fight airborne pathogens. These different tasks are at least partially accomplished by specialized cell types in the epithelium. In addition, a proximal to distal gradient mirroring the transition from airflow conduction to real gas exchange, is also operative. We analysed the airway system of larval Drosophila melanogaster with respect to region-specific expression in the proximal to distal axis. The larval airway system is made of epithelial cells only. We found differential expression between major trunks of the airways and more distal ones comprising primary, secondary and terminal ones. A more detailed analysis was performed using DNA-microarray analysis to identify cohorts of genes that are either predominantly expressed in the dorsal trunks or in the primary/secondary/terminal branches of the airways. Among these differentially expressed genes are especially those involved in signal transduction. Wnt-signalling associated genes for example are predominantly found in secondary/terminal airways. In addition, some G-protein coupled receptors are differentially expressed between both regions of the airways, exemplified by those activated by octopamine or tyramine, the invertebrate counterparts of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Whereas the OAMB is predominantly found in terminal airway regions, the oct3βR has higher expression levels in dorsal trunks. In addition, we observed a significant association of both, genes predominantly expressed in dorsal trunks or in primary to terminal branches branches with those regulated by hypoxia. Taken together, this observed differential expression is indicative for a proximal to distal transcriptional regionalization presumably reflecting functional differences in these parts of the fly’s airway system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia Hoffmann
- University of Kiel, Dept. Molecular Physiology, Kiel, Germany
| | - Samar El-Kholy
- University of Kiel, Dept. Molecular Physiology, Kiel, Germany
| | - Kimberley Kallsen
- University of Kiel, Dept. Molecular Physiology, Kiel, Germany
- Research Center Borstel, Priority Area Allergy and Asthma, Borstel, Germany
| | - Christina Wagner
- Research Center Borstel, Priority Area Allergy and Asthma, Borstel, Germany
| | - Iris Bruchhaus
- Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Dept. Molecular Parasitology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Fink
- University of Kiel, Dept. Molecular Physiology, Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Roeder
- University of Kiel, Dept. Molecular Physiology, Kiel, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Germany
- * E-mail:
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Ventura T, Cummins SF, Fitzgibbon Q, Battaglene S, Elizur A. Analysis of the central nervous system transcriptome of the eastern rock lobster Sagmariasus verreauxi reveals its putative neuropeptidome. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97323. [PMID: 24819537 PMCID: PMC4018349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides have been discovered in many arthropod species including crustaceans. The nature of their biological function is well studied and varies from behavior modulation to physiological regulation of complex biochemical processes such as metabolism, molt and reproduction. Due to their key role in these fundamental processes, neuropeptides are often targeted for modulating these processes to align with market demands in commercially important species. We generated a comprehensive transcriptome of the eyestalk and brain of one of the few commercially important spiny lobster species in the southern Hemisphere, the Eastern rock lobster Sagmariasus verreauxi and mined it for novel neuropeptide and protein hormone-encoding transcripts. We then characterized the predicted mature hormones to verify their validity based on conserved motifs and features known from previously reported hormones. Overall, 37 transcripts which are predicted to encode mature full-length/partial peptides/proteins were identified, representing 21 peptide/protein families/subfamilies. All transcripts had high similarity to hormones that were previously characterized in other decapod crustacean species or, where absent in crustaceans, in other arthropod species. These included, in addition to other proteins previously described in crustaceans, prohormone-3 and prohormone-4 which were previously identified only in insects. A homolog of the crustacean female sex hormone (CFSH), recently found to be female-specific in brachyuran crabs was found to have the same levels of expression in both male and female eyestalks, suggesting that the CFSH female specificity is not conserved throughout decapod crustaceans. Digital gene expression showed that 24 out of the 37 transcripts presented in this study have significant changes in expression between eyestalk and brain. In some cases a trend of difference between males and females could be seen. Taken together, this study provides a comprehensive neuropeptidome of a commercially important crustacean species with novel peptides and protein hormones identified for the first time in decapods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Ventura
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Scott F. Cummins
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Quinn Fitzgibbon
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Stephen Battaglene
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Abigail Elizur
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Karsenty S, Rappoport N, Ofer D, Zair A, Linial M. NeuroPID: a classifier of neuropeptide precursors. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:W182-6. [PMID: 24792159 PMCID: PMC4086121 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides (NPs) are short secreted peptides produced in neurons. NPs act by activating signaling cascades governing broad functions such as metabolism, sensation and behavior throughout the animal kingdom. NPs are the products of multistep processing of longer proteins, the NP precursors (NPPs). We present NeuroPID (Neuropeptide Precursor Identifier), an online machine-learning tool that identifies metazoan NPPs. NeuroPID was trained on 1418 NPPs annotated as such by UniProtKB. A large number of sequence-based features were extracted for each sequence with the goal of capturing the biophysical and informational-statistical properties that distinguish NPPs from other proteins. Training several machine-learning models, including support vector machines and ensemble decision trees, led to high accuracy (89–94%) and precision (90–93%) in cross-validation tests. For inputs of thousands of unseen sequences, the tool provides a ranked list of high quality predictions based on the results of four machine-learning classifiers. The output reveals many uncharacterized NPPs and secreted cell modulators that are rich in potential cleavage sites. NeuroPID is a discovery and a prediction tool that can be used to identify NPPs from unannotated transcriptomes and mass spectrometry experiments. NeuroPID predicted sequences are attractive targets for investigating behavior, physiology and cell modulation. The NeuroPID web tool is available at http:// neuropid.cs.huji.ac.il.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Karsenty
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel School of Computer Science, Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nadav Rappoport
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dan Ofer
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Sudarsky Center for Computational Biology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adva Zair
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Linial
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Sudarsky Center for Computational Biology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Conzelmann M, Williams EA, Krug K, Franz-Wachtel M, Macek B, Jékely G. The neuropeptide complement of the marine annelid Platynereis dumerilii. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:906. [PMID: 24359412 PMCID: PMC3890597 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The marine annelid Platynereis dumerilii is emerging as a powerful lophotrochozoan experimental model for evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) and neurobiology. Recent studies revealed the presence of conserved neuropeptidergic signaling in Platynereis, including vasotocin/neurophysin, myoinhibitory peptide and opioid peptidergic systems. Despite these advances, comprehensive peptidome resources have yet to be reported. Results The present work describes the neuropeptidome of Platynereis. We established a large transcriptome resource, consisting of stage-specific next-generation sequencing datasets and 77,419 expressed sequence tags. Using this information and a combination of bioinformatic searches and mass spectrometry analyses, we increased the known proneuropeptide (pNP) complement of Platynereis to 98. Based on sequence homology to metazoan pNPs, Platynereis pNPs were grouped into ancient eumetazoan, bilaterian, protostome, lophotrochozoan, and annelid families, and pNPs only found in Platynereis. Compared to the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea, the only other lophotrochozoan with a large-scale pNP resource, Platynereis has a remarkably full complement of conserved pNPs, with 53 pNPs belonging to ancient eumetazoan or bilaterian families. Our comprehensive search strategy, combined with analyses of sequence conservation, also allowed us to define several novel lophotrochozoan and annelid pNP families. The stage-specific transcriptome datasets also allowed us to map changes in pNP expression throughout the Platynereis life cycle. Conclusion The large repertoire of conserved pNPs in Platynereis highlights the usefulness of annelids in comparative neuroendocrinology. This work establishes a reference dataset for comparative peptidomics in lophotrochozoans and provides the basis for future studies of Platynereis peptidergic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Conzelmann
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Spemannstrasse 35, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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Kiss B, Szlanka T, Zvara Á, Žurovec M, Sery M, Kakaš Š, Ramasz B, Hegedűs Z, Lukacsovich T, Puskás L, Fónagy A, Kiss I. Selective elimination/RNAi silencing of FMRF-related peptides and their receptors decreases the locomotor activity in Drosophila melanogaster. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2013; 191:137-45. [PMID: 23770020 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Five neuropeptide genes are classified in the FMRF-related (FaRP) group: the Fmrf, dromyosuppressin (Dms), drosulfakinin (Dsk), neuropeptide F (npf) and short neuropeptide F (sNPF) genes coding for 8, 1, 2, 1 and 4 peptides, respectively. In order to compare their effects on the locomotor activity of Drosophila adults, we made RNAi knockdown of the peptides and their specific receptor genes. In addition, we constructed Gal4 drivers with three distinct parts of the Fmrf gene's 5' regulatory sequence (RS8-Gal4, RS11-Gal4, RS17-Gal4), and used them to ablate FMRF-positive neurons inducing apoptosis by expressing the reaper (rpr) gene. We examined the locomotor activity of flies by measuring the mean velocity of movement (MVM) following repeated air-puffs. Locomotor activity was decreased by RNAi knockdown induced in the CNS by the elav-Gal4 driver. According to the MVM curve profiles, RNAi knockdown most effectively decreased the velocity when the DmsR-1 and DmsR-2 genes were silenced together (DmsR-1-RNAi/elav-Gal4; DmsR-2-RNAi/+). Similar effect was observed in Dsk-RNAi/ elav-Gal4; DskR-2-RNAi/+, while moderate effects were found in three other combinations (Fmrf-RNAi/elav-Gal4; FR-RNAi/+, Dms-RNAi/ elav-Gal4;DmsR-2-RNAi/+, CCKLR-17D1-RNAi/elav-Gal4; CCKLR-17D3-RNAi/+), and weak effect in DmsR-2-RNAi/elav-Gal4; DmsR-1-RNAi/+. Male and female flies were not different in this respect. In the cell ablation experiment, the MVM profiles of the female flies were different from the controls when the UAS-rpr transgene was driven by RS8-Gal4 or RS17-Gal4. The RS11-Gal4 and Fmrf-Gal4 drivers were ineffective. In the males only the RS17-Gal4 showed a weak effect. RNAi silencing of the FaRP and FaRP-receptor genes effectively decreased the startle-induced locomotor activity of flies. Ablation of FMRF-positive neurons by the RS8-Gal4 and/or RS17-Gal4 drivers also decreased the flies' activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitta Kiss
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
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Jékely G. Global view of the evolution and diversity of metazoan neuropeptide signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:8702-7. [PMID: 23637342 PMCID: PMC3666674 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1221833110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides are signaling molecules that commonly act via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are generated in neurons by proneuropeptide (pNP) cleavage. Present in both cnidarians and bilaterians, neuropeptides represent an ancient and widespread mode of neuronal communication. Due to the inherent difficulties of analyzing highly diverse and repetitive pNPs, the relationships among different families are often elusive. Using similarity-based clustering and sensitive similarity searches, I obtained a global view of metazoan pNP diversity and evolution. Clustering revealed a large and diffuse network of sequences connected by significant sequence similarity encompassing one-quarter of all families. pNPs belonging to this cluster were also identified in the early-branching neuronless animal Trichoplax adhaerens. Clustering of neuropeptide GPCRs identified several orthology groups and allowed the reconstruction of the phyletic distribution of receptor families. GPCR phyletic distribution closely paralleled that of pNPs, indicating extensive conservation and long-term coevolution of receptor-ligand pairs. Receptor orthology and intermediate sequences also revealed the homology of pNPs so far considered unrelated, including allatotropin and orexin. These findings, together with the identification of deuterostome achatin and luqin and protostome opioid pNPs, extended the neuropeptide complement of the urbilaterian. Several pNPs were also identified from the hemichordate Saccoglossus kowalevskii and the cephalochordate Branchiostoma floridae, elucidating pNP evolution in deuterostomes. Receptor-ligand conservation also allowed ligand predictions for many uncharacterized GPCRs from nonmodel species. The reconstruction of the neuropeptide-signaling repertoire at deep nodes of the animal phylogeny allowed the formulation of a testable scenario of the evolution of animal neuroendocrine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gáspár Jékely
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Abstract
The SALMFamides are a family of neuropeptides that act as muscle relaxants in echinoderms. Two types of SALMFamides have been identified: L-type (e.g. the starfish neuropeptides S1 and S2) with the C-terminal motif LxFamide (x is variable) and F-type with the C-terminal motif FxFamide. In the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (class Echinoidea) there are two SALMFamide genes, one encoding L-type SALMFamides and a second encoding F-type SALMFamides, but hitherto it was not known if this applies to other echinoderms. Here we report the identification of SALMFamide genes in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (class Holothuroidea) and the starfish Patiria miniata (class Asteroidea). In both species there are two SALMFamide genes: one gene encoding L-type SALMFamides (e.g. S1 in P. miniata) and a second gene encoding F-type SALMFamides plus one or more L-type SALMFamides (e.g. S2-like peptide in P. miniata). Thus, the ancestry of the two SALMFamide gene types traces back to the common ancestor of echinoids, holothurians and asteroids, although it is not clear if the occurrence of L-type peptides in F-type SALMFamide precursors is an ancestral or derived character. The gene sequences also reveal a remarkable diversity of SALMFamide neuropeptides. Originally just two peptides (S1 and S2) were isolated from starfish but now we find that in P. miniata, for example, there are sixteen putative SALMFamide neuropeptides. Thus, the SALMFamides would be a good model system for experimental analysis of the physiological significance of neuropeptide “cocktails” derived from the same precursor protein.
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Rahman MM, Neupert S, Predel R. Neuropeptidomics of the Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) and related Diptera. Peptides 2013; 41:31-7. [PMID: 23280433 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Revised: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Insect neuropeptides are the most diverse and important group of messenger molecules that regulate almost all physiological processes, including behavior. In this study, we performed a combination of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight (ESI-Q-TOF) mass spectrometry to analyze the peptidome of the brain and the neurohemal organs of the Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina and compared the data with those of related flies such as the gray flesh fly Sarcophaga (=Neobellieria) bullata; the cabbage root fly Delia radicum, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Without counting low intensity signals of truncated peptides, 45 neuropeptides arising from 12 neuropeptide genes (adipokinetic hormone, CAPA-peptides, corazonin, extended FMRFamides, SIFamide, insect kinin, short neuropeptide F, NPLP-1 peptides, HUGIN-pyrokinin, sulfakinins, allatostatins A, putative eclosion hormone precursor peptide) were identified; sequences of extended FMRFamides were reported in a separate publication. The remarkable similarity of the peptidome of cyclorraphan flies, which contain a large number of ecologically important species, does not support the development of a species-specific neuropeptide-based insect pest control strategy. However, mass spectrometric approaches as shown here do not cover the entire peptidome or differences at the receptor level and it is possible that group-specific peptide ligands or receptors exist that escaped the detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mazibur Rahman
- Department of General Zoology and Animal Physiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
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Müller P, Pflüger V, Wittwer M, Ziegler D, Chandre F, Simard F, Lengeler C. Identification of cryptic Anopheles mosquito species by molecular protein profiling. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57486. [PMID: 23469000 PMCID: PMC3585343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector control is the mainstay of malaria control programmes. Successful vector control profoundly relies on accurate information on the target mosquito populations in order to choose the most appropriate intervention for a given mosquito species and to monitor its impact. An impediment to identify mosquito species is the existence of morphologically identical sibling species that play different roles in the transmission of pathogens and parasites. Currently PCR diagnostics are used to distinguish between sibling species. PCR based methods are, however, expensive, time-consuming and their development requires a priori DNA sequence information. Here, we evaluated an inexpensive molecular proteomics approach for Anopheles species: matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). MALDI-TOF MS is a well developed protein profiling tool for the identification of microorganisms but so far has received little attention as a diagnostic tool in entomology. We measured MS spectra from specimens of 32 laboratory colonies and 2 field populations representing 12 Anopheles species including the A. gambiae species complex. An important step in the study was the advancement and implementation of a bioinformatics approach improving the resolution over previously applied cluster analysis. Borrowing tools for linear discriminant analysis from genomics, MALDI-TOF MS accurately identified taxonomically closely related mosquito species, including the separation between the M and S molecular forms of A. gambiae sensu stricto. The approach also classifies specimens from different laboratory colonies; hence proving also very promising for its use in colony authentication as part of quality assurance in laboratory studies. While being exceptionally accurate and robust, MALDI-TOF MS has several advantages over other typing methods, including simple sample preparation and short processing time. As the method does not require DNA sequence information, data can also be reviewed at any later stage for diagnostic or functional patterns without the need for re-designing and re-processing biological material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pie Müller
- Department of Medical Services and Diagnostic, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
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Zoephel J, Reiher W, Rexer KH, Kahnt J, Wegener C. Peptidomics of the agriculturally damaging larval stage of the cabbage root fly Delia radicum (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). PLoS One 2012; 7:e41543. [PMID: 22848525 PMCID: PMC3405134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 06/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The larvae of the cabbage root fly induce serious damage to cultivated crops of the family Brassicaceae. We here report the biochemical characterisation of neuropeptides from the central nervous system and neurohemal organs, as well as regulatory peptides from enteroendocrine midgut cells of the cabbage maggot. By LC-MALDI-TOF/TOF and chemical labelling with 4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate, 38 peptides could be identified, representing major insect peptide families: allatostatin A, allatostatin C, FMRFamide-like peptides, kinin, CAPA peptides, pyrokinins, sNPF, myosuppressin, corazonin, SIFamide, sulfakinins, tachykinins, NPLP1-peptides, adipokinetic hormone and CCHamide 1. We also report a new peptide (Yamide) which appears to be homolog to an amidated eclosion hormone-associated peptide in several Drosophila species. Immunocytochemical characterisation of the distribution of several classes of peptide-immunoreactive neurons and enteroendocrine cells shows a very similar but not identical peptide distribution to Drosophila. Since peptides regulate many vital physiological and behavioural processes such as moulting or feeding, our data may initiate the pharmacological testing and development of new specific peptide-based protection methods against the cabbage root fly and its larva.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Zoephel
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Wencke Reiher
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Rexer
- Department of Biology, Mycology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Kahnt
- Max-Planck-Institute of Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christian Wegener
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Sterkel M, Oliveira PL, Urlaub H, Hernandez-Martinez S, Rivera-Pomar R, Ons S. OKB, a novel family of brain-gut neuropeptides from insects. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 42:466-473. [PMID: 22480496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2012.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2011] [Revised: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In insects, neuropeptides play a central role in the control of most physiological processes. The knowledge and characterization of new neuropeptide families, is of interest on the fields of Genetics, Genomics, Neurobiology, Endocrinology and Evolution. This knowledge also provides the tools for the design of peptidomimetics, pseudopeptides or small molecules, capable of disrupting the physiological processes regulated by the signaling molecules and their receptors. This is a promising target for a novel generation of insecticides. Using database searches, mass spectrometry and RACE-PCR, we identified a neuropeptide precursor transcript encoding a new family of insect neuropeptides in the hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus. We named this precursor Orcokinin B, because is originated by the alternative splicing of the Orcokinin gen. EST and genomic data suggests that Orcokinin B is expressed in the nervous system and gut from several insect species, with the exception of Drosophila sp. (Diptera) and Acyirthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera). Mass spectrometry and RT-PCR confirmed the expression of Orcokinin B in brain and anterior midgut of R. prolixus. Furthermore, we identified orthologues of this new family of peptides in genomic and EST databases from Arachnids and Crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Sterkel
- Laboratorio de Genética y Genómica Funcional. Centro Regional de Estudios Genomicos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Av. Calchaquí 5900 4to. piso, 1888, Florencio Varela, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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De Loof A, Lindemans M, Liu F, De Groef B, Schoofs L. Endocrine archeology: do insects retain ancestrally inherited counterparts of the vertebrate releasing hormones GnRH, GHRH, TRH, and CRF? Gen Comp Endocrinol 2012; 177:18-27. [PMID: 22402582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2011] [Revised: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate releasing hormones include gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRF), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). They are synthesized in the hypothalamus and stimulate the release of pituitary hormones. Here we review the knowledge on hormone releasing systems in the protostomian lineage. We address the question: do insects have peptides that may be phylogenetically related to an ancestral GnRH, GHRH, TRH, and CRF? Such endocrine archeology has become possible thanks to the growing list of fully sequenced genomes as well as to the continuously improving bioinformatic tool set. It has recently been shown that the ecdysozoan (nematodes and arthropods) adipokinetic hormones (AKHs), the lophotrochozoan (annelids and mollusks) GnRHs as well as the protochordate GnRHs are structurally related. The adipokinetic hormone precursor-related peptides (APRPs), in locusts encoded by the same gene that contains the AKH-coding region, have been forwarded as the structural counterpart of GHRH of vertebrates. CRF is relatively well conserved in insects, in which it functions as a diuretic hormone. Members of TRH-receptor family seem to have been conserved in some arthropods, but other elements of the thyroid hormone signaling system are not. A challenging idea is that in insects the functions of the thyroid hormones were taken over by juvenile hormone (JH). Our reconstruction suggests that, perhaps, the ancestral releasing hormone precursors played a role in controlling energy metabolism and water balance, and that releasing hormone functions as present in extant vertebrates were probably secondarily acquired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnold De Loof
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Belgium.
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Predel R, Neupert S, Huetteroth W, Kahnt J, Waidelich D, Roth S. Peptidomics-Based Phylogeny and Biogeography of Mantophasmatodea (Hexapoda). Syst Biol 2012; 61:609-29. [DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/sys003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Predel
- Biocenter, Institute for Zoology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Strasse 47b, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | - Susanne Neupert
- Biocenter, Institute for Zoology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Strasse 47b, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | - Wolf Huetteroth
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Kahnt
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Steffen Roth
- The Natural History Collections, University Museum of Bergen, PO Box 7800, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
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Boerjan B, Cardoen D, Verdonck R, Caers J, Schoofs L. Insect omics research coming of age1This review is part of a virtual symposium on recent advances in understanding a variety of complex regulatory processes in insect physiology and endocrinology, including development, metabolism, cold hardiness, food intake and digestion, and diuresis, through the use of omics technologies in the postgenomic era. CAN J ZOOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1139/z2012-010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As more and more insect genomes are fully sequenced and annotated, omics technologies, including transcriptomic, proteomic, peptidomics, and metobolomic profiling, as well as bioinformatics, can be used to exploit this huge amount of sequence information for the study of different biological aspects of insect model organisms. Omics experiments are an elegant way to deliver candidate genes, the function of which can be further explored by genetic tools for functional inactivation or overexpression of the genes of interest. Such tools include mainly RNA interference and are currently being developed in diverse insect species. In this manuscript, we have reviewed how omics technologies were integrated and applied in insect biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Boerjan
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries Cardoen
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Entomology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rik Verdonck
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle Caers
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Sterkel M, Urlaub H, Rivera-Pomar R, Ons S. Functional Proteomics of Neuropeptidome Dynamics during the Feeding Process of Rhodnius prolixus. J Proteome Res 2011; 10:3363-71. [DOI: 10.1021/pr2001012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Sterkel
- Laboratorio de Genética y Genómica Funcional, Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rolando Rivera-Pomar
- Laboratorio de Genética y Genómica Funcional, Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Experimentales, Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Pergamino, Argentina
| | - Sheila Ons
- Laboratorio de Genética y Genómica Funcional, Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Nässel DR, Wegener C. A comparative review of short and long neuropeptide F signaling in invertebrates: Any similarities to vertebrate neuropeptide Y signaling? Peptides 2011; 32:1335-55. [PMID: 21440021 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2011] [Revised: 03/10/2011] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides referred to as neuropeptide F (NPF) and short neuropeptide F (sNPF) have been identified in numerous invertebrate species. Sequence information has expanded tremendously due to recent genome sequencing and EST projects. Analysis of sequences of the peptides and prepropeptides strongly suggest that NPFs and sNPFs are not closely related. However, the NPFs are likely to be ancestrally related to the vertebrate family of neuropeptide Y (NPY) peptides. Peptide diversification may have been accomplished by different mechanisms in NPFs and sNPFs; in the former by gene duplications followed by diversification and in the sNPFs by internal duplications resulting in paracopies of peptides. We discuss the distribution and functions of NPFs and their receptors in several model invertebrates. Signaling with sNPF, however, has been investigated mainly in insects, especially in Drosophila. Both in invertebrates and in mammals NPF/NPY play roles in feeding, metabolism, reproduction and stress responses. Several other NPF functions have been studied in Drosophila that may be shared with mammals. In Drosophila sNPFs are widely distributed in numerous neurons of the CNS and some gut endocrines and their functions may be truly pleiotropic. Peptide distribution and experiments suggest roles of sNPF in feeding and growth, stress responses, modulation of locomotion and olfactory inputs, hormone release, as well as learning and memory. Available data indicate that NPF and sNPF signaling systems are distinct and not likely to play redundant roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dick R Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Christie AE. Crustacean neuroendocrine systems and their signaling agents. Cell Tissue Res 2011; 345:41-67. [PMID: 21597913 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-011-1183-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Decapod crustaceans have long served as important models for the study of neuroendocrine signaling. For example, the process of neurosecretion was first formally demonstrated by using a member of this order. In this review, the major decapod neuroendocrine organs are described, as are their phylogenetic conservation and neurochemistry. In addition, recent advances in crustacean neurohormone discovery and tissue mapping are discussed, as are several recent advances in our understanding of hormonal control in this group of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Christie
- Neuroscience Program, John W. and Jean C. Boylan Center for Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Old Bar Harbor Road, Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA.
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Wegener C, Herbert H, Kahnt J, Bender M, Rhea JM. Deficiency of prohormone convertase dPC2 (AMONTILLADO) results in impaired production of bioactive neuropeptide hormones in Drosophila. J Neurochem 2011; 118:581-95. [PMID: 21138435 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.07130.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Wegener
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.
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Hauser F, Neupert S, Williamson M, Predel R, Tanaka Y, Grimmelikhuijzen CJP. Genomics and peptidomics of neuropeptides and protein hormones present in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis. J Proteome Res 2010; 9:5296-310. [PMID: 20695486 DOI: 10.1021/pr100570j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides and protein hormones constitute a very important group of signaling molecules, regulating central physiological processes such as reproduction, development, and behavior. Using a bioinformatics approach, we screened the recently sequenced genome of the parasitic wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, for the presence of these signaling molecules and annotated 30 precursor genes encoding 51 different mature neuropeptides or protein hormones. Twenty-four of the predicted mature Nasonia neuropeptides could be experimentally confirmed by mass spectrometry. We also discovered a completely novel neuropeptide gene in Nasonia, coding for peptides containing the C-terminal sequence RYamide. This gene has orthologs in nearly all arthropods with a sequenced genome, and its expression in mosquitoes was confirmed by mass spectrometry. No precursor could be identified for N-terminally extended FMRFamides, even though their putative G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) is present in the Nasonia genome. Neither the precursor nor the putative receptor could be identified for allatostatin-B, capa, the glycoprotein hormones GPA2/GPB5, kinin, proctolin, sex peptide, and sulfakinin, arguing that these signaling systems are truly absent in the wasp. Also, antidiuretic factors, allatotropin, and NPLP-like precursors are missing in Nasonia, but here the receptors have not been identified in any insect, so far. Nasonia (Hymenoptera) has the lowest number of neuropeptide precursor genes compared to Drosophila melanogaster, Aedes aegypti (both Diptera), Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera), Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera), Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera), and Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera). This lower number of neuropeptide genes might be related to Nasonia's parasitic life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Hauser
- Center for Functional and Comparative Insect Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Chen R, Li L. Mass spectral imaging and profiling of neuropeptides at the organ and cellular domains. Anal Bioanal Chem 2010; 397:3185-93. [PMID: 20419488 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-010-3723-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2010] [Revised: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/03/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) is a rapid and sensitive analytical method that is well suited for determining molecular weights of peptides and proteins from complex samples. MALDI-MS can be used to profile the peptides and proteins from single-cell and small tissue samples without the need for extensive sample preparation. Furthermore, the recently developed MALDI imaging technique enables mapping of the spatial distribution of signaling molecules in tissue samples. Several examples of signaling molecule analysis at the single-cell and single-organ levels using MALDI-MS technology are highlighted followed by an outlook of future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibing Chen
- Department of Chemistry & School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2222, USA
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Individual carboxypeptidase D domains have both redundant and unique functions in Drosophila development and behavior. Cell Mol Life Sci 2010; 67:2991-3004. [PMID: 20386952 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0369-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2010] [Revised: 03/22/2010] [Accepted: 03/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Metallocarboxypeptidase D (CPD) functions in protein and peptide processing. The Drosophila CPD svr gene undergoes alternative splicing, producing forms containing 1-3 active or inactive CP domains. To investigate the function of the various CP domains, we created transgenic flies expressing specific forms of CPD in the embryonic-lethal svr (PG33) mutant. All constructs containing an active CP domain rescued the lethality with varying degrees, and full viability required inactive CP domain-3. Transgenic flies overexpressing active CP domain-1 or -2 were similar to each other and to the viable svr mutants, with pointed wing shape, enhanced ethanol sensitivity, and decreased cold sensitivity. The transgenes fully compensated for a long-term memory deficit observed in the viable svr mutants. Overexpression of CP domain-1 or -2 reduced the levels of Lys/Arg-extended adipokinetic hormone intermediates. These findings suggest that CPD domains-1 and -2 have largely redundant functions in the processing of growth factors, hormones, and neuropeptides.
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Feltens R, Görner R, Kalkhof S, Gröger-Arndt H, von Bergen M. Discrimination of different species from the genus Drosophila by intact protein profiling using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. BMC Evol Biol 2010; 10:95. [PMID: 20374617 PMCID: PMC2858148 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-10-95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2009] [Accepted: 04/07/2010] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The use of molecular biology-based methods for species identification and establishing phylogenetic relationships has supplanted traditional methods relying on morphological characteristics. While PCR-based methods are now the commonly accepted gold standards for these types of analysis, relatively high costs, time-consuming assay development or the need for a priori information about species-specific sequences constitute major limitations. In the present study, we explored the possibility to differentiate between 13 different species from the genus Drosophila via a molecular proteomic approach. Results After establishing a simple protein extraction procedure and performing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) with intact proteins and peptides, we could show that most of the species investigated reproducibly yielded mass spectra that were adequate for species classification. Furthermore, a dendrogram generated by cluster analysis of total protein patterns agrees reasonably well with established phylogenetic relationships. Conclusion Considering the intra- and interspecies similarities and differences between spectra obtained for specimens of closely related Drosophila species, we estimate that species typing of insects and possibly other multicellular organisms by intact protein profiling (IPP) can be established successfully for species that diverged from a common ancestor about 3 million years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Feltens
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Medical Faculty of the Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
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Donohue KV, Khalil SMS, Ross E, Grozinger CM, Sonenshine DE, Michael Roe R. Neuropeptide signaling sequences identified by pyrosequencing of the American dog tick synganglion transcriptome during blood feeding and reproduction. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2010; 40:79-90. [PMID: 20060044 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2009.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2008] [Revised: 12/18/2009] [Accepted: 12/21/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are important vectors of numerous pathogens that impact human and animal health. The tick central nervous system represents an understudied area in tick biology and no tick synganglion-specific transcriptome has been described to date. Here we characterize whole or partial cDNA sequences of fourteen putative neuropeptides (allatostatin, insulin-like peptide, ion-transport peptide, sulfakinin, bursicon alpha/beta, eclosion hormone, glycoprotein hormone alpha/beta, corazonin, four orcokinins) and five neuropeptide receptors (gonadotropin receptor, leucokinin-like receptor, sulfakinin receptor, calcitonin receptor, pyrokinin receptor) translated from cDNA synthesized from the synganglion of unfed, partially fed and replete female American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis. Their homology to the same neuropeptides in other taxa is discussed. Many of these neuropeptides such as an allatostatin, insulin-like peptide, eclosion hormone, bursicon alpha and beta and glycoprotein hormone alpha and beta have not been previously described in the Chelicerata. An insulin-receptor substrate protein was also found indicating that an insulin signaling network is present in ticks. A putative type-2 proprotein processing convertase was also sequenced that may be involved in cleavage at monobasic and dibasic endoproteolytic cleavage sites in prohormones. The possible physiological role of the proteins discovered in adult tick blood feeding and reproduction will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin V Donohue
- Department of Entomology, Campus Box 7647, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7647, USA
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