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Li W, Ye C, He M, Ko WKW, Cheng CHK, Chan YW, Wong AOL. Differential involvement of cAMP/PKA-, PLC/PKC- and Ca 2+/calmodulin-dependent pathways in GnRH-induced prolactin secretion and gene expression in grass carp pituitary cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1399274. [PMID: 38894746 PMCID: PMC11183098 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1399274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a key stimulator for gonadotropin secretion in the pituitary and its pivotal role in reproduction is well conserved in vertebrates. In fish models, GnRH can also induce prolactin (PRL) release, but little is known for the corresponding effect on PRL gene expression as well as the post-receptor signalling involved. Using grass carp as a model, the functional role of GnRH and its underlying signal transduction for PRL regulation were examined at the pituitary level. Using laser capture microdissection coupled with RT-PCR, GnRH receptor expression could be located in carp lactotrophs. In primary cell culture prepared from grass carp pituitaries, the native forms of GnRH, GnRH2 and GnRH3, as well as the GnRH agonist [D-Arg6, Pro9, NEt]-sGnRH were all effective in elevating PRL secretion, PRL mRNA level, PRL cell content and total production. In pituitary cells prepared from the rostral pars distalis, the region in the carp pituitary enriched with lactotrophs, GnRH not only increased cAMP synthesis with parallel CREB phosphorylation and nuclear translocation but also induced a rapid rise in cytosolic Ca2+ by Ca2+ influx via L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel (VSCC) with subsequent CaM expression and NFAT2 dephosphorylation. In carp pituitary cells prepared from whole pituitaries, GnRH-induced PRL secretion was reduced/negated by inhibiting cAMP/PKA, PLC/PKC and Ca2+/CaM/CaMK-II pathways but not the signalling events via IP3 and CaN/NFAT. The corresponding effect on PRL mRNA expression, however, was blocked by inhibiting cAMP/PKA/CREB/CBP and Ca2+/CaM/CaN/NFAT2 signalling but not PLC/IP3/PKC pathway. At the pituitary cell level, activation of cAMP/PKA pathway could also induce CaM expression and Ca2+ influx via VSCC with parallel rises in PRL release and gene expression in a Ca2+/CaM-dependent manner. These findings, as a whole, suggest that the cAMP/PKA-, PLC/PKC- and Ca2+/CaM-dependent cascades are differentially involved in GnRH-induced PRL secretion and PRL transcript expression in carp lactotrophs. During the process, a functional crosstalk between the cAMP/PKA- and Ca2+/CaM-dependent pathways may occur with PRL release linked with CaMK-II and PKC activation and PRL gene transcription caused by nuclear action of CREB/CBP and CaN/NFAT2 signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wensheng Li
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Ye
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mulan He
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wendy K. W. Ko
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Christopher H. K. Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ying Wai Chan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anderson O. L. Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Kim MA, Kim TH, Kannan P, Kho KH, Park K, Sohn YC. Functional Characterization of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and Corazonin Signaling Systems in Pacific Abalone: Toward Reclassification of Invertebrate Neuropeptides. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 114:64-89. [PMID: 37703838 DOI: 10.1159/000533662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The proposed evolutionary origins and corresponding nomenclature of bilaterian gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-related neuropeptides have changed tremendously with the aid of receptor deorphanization. However, the reclassification of the GnRH and corazonin (CRZ) signaling systems in Lophotrochozoa remains unclear. METHODS We characterized GnRH and CRZ receptors in the mollusk Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai (Hdh), by phylogenetic and gene expression analyses, bioluminescence-based reporter, Western blotting, substitution of peptide amino acids, in vivo neuropeptide injection, and RNA interference assays. RESULTS Two Hdh CRZ-like receptors (Hdh-CRZR-A and Hdh-CRZR-B) and three Hdh GnRH-like receptors (Hdh-GnRHR1-A, Hdh-GnRHR1-B, and Hdh-GnRHR2) were identified. In phylogenetic analysis, Hdh-CRZR-A and -B grouped within the CRZ-type receptors, whereas Hdh-GnRHR1-A/-B and Hdh-GnRHR2 clustered within the GnRH/adipokinetic hormone (AKH)/CRZ-related peptide-type receptors. Hdh-CRZR-A/-B and Hdh-GnRHR1-A were activated by Hdh-CRZ (pQNYHFSNGWHA-NH2) and Hdh-GnRH (pQISFSPNWGT-NH2), respectively. Hdh-CRZR-A/-B dually coupled with the Gαq and Gαs signaling pathways, whereas Hdh-GnRHR1-A was linked only with Gαq signaling. Analysis of substituted peptides, [I2S3]Hdh-CRZ and [N2Y3H4]Hdh-GnRH, and in silico docking models revealed that the N-terminal amino acids of the peptides are critical for the selectivity of Hdh-CRZR and Hdh-GnRHR. Two precursor transcripts for Hdh-CRZ and Hdh-GnRH peptides and their receptors were mainly expressed in the neural ganglia, and their levels increased in starved abalones. Injection of Hdh-CRZ peptide into abalones decreased food consumption, whereas Hdh-CRZR knockdown increased food consumption. Moreover, Hdh-CRZ induced germinal vesicle breakdown in mature oocytes. CONCLUSION Characterization of Hdh-CRZRs and Hdh-GnRHRs and their cognate peptides provides new insight into the evolutionary route of GnRH-related signaling systems in bilaterians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Ae Kim
- Department of Marine Bioscience, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
- East Coast Life Sciences Institute, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Ha Kim
- Department of Marine Bioscience, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Priyadharshini Kannan
- Natural Product Informatics Research Center, KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Hee Kho
- Department of Fisheries Science, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, Republic of Korea
| | - Keunwan Park
- Natural Product Informatics Research Center, KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Chang Sohn
- Department of Marine Bioscience, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
- East Coast Life Sciences Institute, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
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Kuraku S, Kaiya H, Tanaka T, Hyodo S. Evolution of Vertebrate Hormones and Their Receptors: Insights from Non-Osteichthyan Genomes. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2023; 11:163-182. [PMID: 36400012 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-050922-071351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Homeostatic control and reproductive functions of humans are regulated at the molecular levels largely by peptide hormones secreted from endocrine and/or neuroendocrine cells in the central nervous system and peripheral organs. Homologs of those hormones and their receptors function similarly in many vertebrate species distantly related to humans, but the evolutionary history of the endocrine system involving those factors has been obscured by the scarcity of genome DNA sequence information of some taxa that potentially contain their orthologs. Focusing on non-osteichthyan vertebrates, namely jawless and cartilaginous fishes, this article illustrates how investigating genome sequence information assists our understanding of the diversification of vertebrate gene repertoires in four broad themes: (a) the presence or absence of genes, (b) multiplication and maintenance of paralogs, (c) differential fates of duplicated paralogs, and (d) the evolutionary timing of gene origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigehiro Kuraku
- Molecular Life History Laboratory, Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan; .,Department of Genetics, Sokendai (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Mishima, Japan.,Laboratory for Phyloinformatics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Kobe, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kaiya
- Grandsoul Research Institute of Immunology, Inc., Uda, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Susumu Hyodo
- Laboratory of Physiology, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
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Ogawa S, Yamamoto N, Hagio H, Oka Y, Parhar IS. Multiple gonadotropin-releasing hormone systems in non-mammalian vertebrates: Ontogeny, anatomy, and physiology. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13068. [PMID: 34931380 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Three paralogous genes for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH; gnrh1, gnrh2, and gnrh3) and GnRH receptors exist in non-mammalian vertebrates. However, there are some vertebrate species in which one or two of these paralogous genes have become non-functional during evolution. The developmental migration of GnRH neurons in the brain is evolutionarily conserved in mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and jawed teleost fish. The three GnRH paralogs have specific expression patterns in the brain and originate from multiple sites. In acanthopterygian teleosts (medaka, cichlid, etc.), the preoptic area (POA)-GnRH1 and terminal nerve (TN)-GnRH3 neuronal types originate from the olfactory regions. In other fish species (zebrafish, goldfish and salmon) with only two GnRH paralogs (GnRH2 and GnRH3), the TN- and POA-GnRH3 neuronal types share the same olfactory origin. However, the developmental origin of midbrain (MB)-GnRH2 neurons is debatable between mesencephalic or neural crest site. Each GnRH system has distinctive anatomical and physiological characteristics, and functions differently. The POA-GnRH1 neurons are hypophysiotropic in nature and function in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. The non-hypophysiotropic GnRH2/GnRH3 neurons probably play neuromodulatory roles in metabolism (MB-GnRH2) and the control of motivational state for sexual behavior (TN-GnRH3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Ogawa
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Naoyuki Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Fish Biology, Department of Animal Sciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hanako Hagio
- Laboratory of Fish Biology, Department of Animal Sciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Oka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ishwar S Parhar
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
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Toufaily C, Fortin J, Alonso CA, Lapointe E, Zhou X, Santiago-Andres Y, Lin YF, Cui Y, Wang Y, Devost D, Roelfsema F, Steyn F, Hanyaloglu AC, Hébert TE, Fiordelisio T, Boerboom D, Bernard DJ. Addition of a carboxy terminal tail to the normally tailless gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor impairs fertility in female mice. eLife 2021; 10:72937. [PMID: 34939930 PMCID: PMC8741216 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is the primary neuropeptide controlling reproduction in vertebrates. GnRH stimulates follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) synthesis via a G-protein-coupled receptor, GnRHR, in the pituitary gland. In mammals, GnRHR lacks a C-terminal cytosolic tail (Ctail) and does not exhibit homologous desensitization. This might be an evolutionary adaptation that enables LH surge generation and ovulation. To test this idea, we fused the chicken GnRHR Ctail to the endogenous murine GnRHR in a transgenic model. The LH surge was blunted, but not blocked in these mice. In contrast, they showed reductions in FSH production, ovarian follicle development, and fertility. Addition of the Ctail altered the nature of agonist-induced calcium signaling required for normal FSH production. The loss of the GnRHR Ctail during mammalian evolution is unlikely to have conferred a selective advantage by enabling the LH surge. The adaptive significance of this specialization remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirine Toufaily
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jérôme Fortin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Carlos Ai Alonso
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Evelyne Lapointe
- Département de biomédecine vétérinaire, Universite de Montreal, Ste-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Yorgui Santiago-Andres
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yeu-Farn Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Yiming Cui
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Dominic Devost
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ferdinand Roelfsema
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Frederik Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Aylin C Hanyaloglu
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Terence E Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Tatiana Fiordelisio
- 3epartamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Département de biomédecine vétérinaire, Universite de Montreal, Ste-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Tzoupis H, Nteli A, Androutsou ME, Tselios T. Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and GnRH Receptor: Structure, Function and Drug Development. Curr Med Chem 2021; 27:6136-6158. [PMID: 31309882 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190712165444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) is a key element in sexual maturation and regulation of the reproductive cycle in the human organism. GnRH interacts with the pituitary cells through the activation of the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Receptors (GnRHR). Any impairments/dysfunctions of the GnRH-GnRHR complex lead to the development of various cancer types and disorders. Furthermore, the identification of GnRHR as a potential drug target has led to the development of agonist and antagonist molecules implemented in various treatment protocols. The development of these drugs was based on the information derived from the functional studies of GnRH and GnRHR. OBJECTIVE This review aims at shedding light on the versatile function of GnRH and GnRH receptor and offers an apprehensive summary regarding the development of different agonists, antagonists and non-peptide GnRH analogues. CONCLUSION The information derived from these studies can enhance our understanding of the GnRH-GnRHR versatile nature and offer valuable insight into the design of new more potent molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agathi Nteli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Rion GR-26504, Greece
| | - Maria-Eleni Androutsou
- Vianex S.A., Tatoiou Str., 18th km Athens-Lamia National Road, Nea Erythrea 14671, Greece
| | - Theodore Tselios
- Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Rion GR-26504, Greece
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Rousseau K, Prunet P, Dufour S. Special features of neuroendocrine interactions between stress and reproduction in teleosts. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 300:113634. [PMID: 33045232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Stress and reproduction are both essential functions for vertebrate survival, ensuring on one side adaptative responses to environmental changes and potential life threats, and on the other side production of progeny. With more than 25,000 species, teleosts constitute the largest group of extant vertebrates, and exhibit a large diversity of life cycles, environmental conditions and regulatory processes. Interactions between stress and reproduction are a growing concern both for conservation of fish biodiversity in the frame of global changes and for the development of sustainability of aquaculture including fish welfare. In teleosts, as in other vertebrates, adverse effects of stress on reproduction have been largely documented and will be shortly overviewed. Unexpectedly, stress notably via cortisol, may also facilitate reproductive function in some teleost species in relation to their peculiar life cyles and this review will provide some examples. Our review will then mainly address the neuroendocrine axes involved in the control of stress and reproduction, namely the corticotropic and gonadotropic axes, as well as their interactions. After reporting some anatomo-functional specificities of the neuroendocrine systems in teleosts, we will describe the major actors of the corticotropic and gonadotropic axes at the brain-pituitary-peripheral glands (interrenals and gonads) levels, with a special focus on the impact of teleost-specific whole genome duplication (3R) on the number of paralogs and their potential differential functions. We will finally review the current knowledge on the neuroendocrine mechanisms of the various interactions between stress and reproduction at different levels of the two axes in teleosts in a comparative and evolutionary perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Rousseau
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Research Unit BOREA, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, SU, UCN, UA, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Prunet
- INRAE, UR1037, Laboratoire de Physiologie et de Génomique des Poissons (LPGP), Rennes, France
| | - Sylvie Dufour
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Research Unit BOREA, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, SU, UCN, UA, Paris, France.
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Ravhe IS, Krishnan A, Manoj N. Evolutionary history of histamine receptors: Early vertebrate origin and expansion of the H 3-H 4 subtypes. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2020; 154:106989. [PMID: 33059072 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Histamine receptors belonging to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate the diverse biological effects of biogenic histamine. They are classified into four phylogenetically distinct subtypes H1-H4, each with a different binding affinity for histamine and divergent downstream signaling pathways. Here we present the evolutionary history of the histamine receptors using a phylogenetic approach complemented with comparative genomics analyses of the sequences, gene structures, and synteny of gene neighborhoods. The data indicate the earliest emergence of histamine-mediated GPCR signaling by a H2 in a prebilaterian ancestor. The analyses support a revised classification of the vertebrate H3-H4 receptor subtypes. We demonstrate the presence of the H4 across vertebrates, contradicting the currently held notion that H4 is restricted to mammals. These non-mammalian vertebrate H4 orthologs have been mistaken for H3. We also identify the presence of a new H3 subtype (H3B), distinct from the canonical H3 (H3A), and propose that the H3A, H3B, and H4 likely emerged from a H3 progenitor through the 1R/2R whole genome duplications in an ancestor of the vertebrates. It is apparent that the ability of the H1, H2, and H3-4 to bind histamine was acquired convergently. We identified genomic signatures suggesting that the H1 and H3-H4 shared a last common ancestor with the muscarinic receptor in a bilaterian predecessor whereas, the H2 and the α-adrenoreceptor shared a progenitor in a prebilaterian ancestor. Furthermore, site-specific analysis of the vertebrate subtypes revealed potential residues that may account for the functional divergence between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Infant Sagayaraj Ravhe
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Arunkumar Krishnan
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Narayanan Manoj
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India.
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Muñoz-Cueto JA, Zmora N, Paullada-Salmerón JA, Marvel M, Mañanos E, Zohar Y. The gonadotropin-releasing hormones: Lessons from fish. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 291:113422. [PMID: 32032603 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fish have been of paramount importance to our understanding of vertebrate comparative neuroendocrinology and the mechanisms underlying the physiology and evolution of gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) and their genes. This review integrates past and recent knowledge on the Gnrh system in the fish model. Multiple Gnrh isoforms (two or three forms) are present in all teleosts, as well as multiple Gnrh receptors (up to five types), which differ in neuroanatomical localization, pattern of projections, ontogeny and functions. The role of the different Gnrh forms in reproduction seems to also differ in teleost models possessing two versus three Gnrh forms, Gnrh3 being the main hypophysiotropic hormone in the former and Gnrh1 in the latter. Functions of the non-hypothalamic Gnrh isoforms are still unclear, although under suboptimal physiological conditions (e.g. fasting), Gnrh2 may increase in the pituitary to ensure the integrity of reproduction under these conditions. Recent developments in transgenesis and mutagenesis in fish models have permitted the generation of fish lines expressing fluorophores in Gnrh neurons and to elucidate the dynamics of the elaborate innervations of the different neuronal populations, thus enabling a more accurate delineation of their reproductive roles and regulations. Moreover, in combination with neuronal electrophysiology, these lines have clarified the Gnrh mode of actions in modulating Lh and Fsh activities. While loss of function and genome editing studies had the premise to elucidate the exact roles of the multiple Gnrhs in reproduction and other processes, they have instead evoked an ongoing debate about these roles and opened new avenues of research that will no doubt lead to new discoveries regarding the not-yet-fully-understood Gnrh system.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Muñoz-Cueto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences and INMAR, University of Cádiz, CEIMAR, The European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain.
| | - Nilli Zmora
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - José A Paullada-Salmerón
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences and INMAR, University of Cádiz, CEIMAR, The European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Miranda Marvel
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Evaristo Mañanos
- Institute of Aquaculture of Torre de la Sal, CSIC, Castellón, Spain
| | - Yonathan Zohar
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Fontaine R, Ciani E, Haug TM, Hodne K, Ager-Wick E, Baker DM, Weltzien FA. Gonadotrope plasticity at cellular, population and structural levels: A comparison between fishes and mammals. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 287:113344. [PMID: 31794734 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Often referred to as "the master gland", the pituitary is a key organ controlling growth, maturation, and homeostasis in vertebrates. The anterior pituitary, which contains several hormone-producing cell types, is highly plastic and thereby able to adjust the production of the hormones governing these key physiological processes according to the changing needs over the life of the animal. Hypothalamic neuroendocrine control and feedback from peripheral tissues modulate pituitary cell activity, adjusting levels of hormone production and release according to different functional or environmental requirements. However, in some physiological processes (e.g. growth, puberty, or metamorphosis), changes in cell activity may be not sufficient to meet the needs and a general reorganization of cell composition and pituitary structure may occur. Focusing on gonadotropes, this review examines plasticity at the cellular level, which allows precise and rapid control of hormone production and secretion, as well as plasticity at the population and structural levels, which allows more substantial changes in hormone production. Further, we compare current knowledge of the anterior pituitary plasticity in fishes and mammals in order to assess what has been conserved or not throughout evolution, and highlight important remaining questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Fontaine
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Elia Ciani
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Trude Marie Haug
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kjetil Hodne
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirill Ager-Wick
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dianne M Baker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Mary Washington, VA22401 Fredericksburg, VA, USA
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway.
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Ciani E, Fontaine R, Maugars G, Nourizadeh-Lillabadi R, Andersson E, Bogerd J, von Krogh K, Weltzien FA. Gnrh receptor gnrhr2bbα is expressed exclusively in lhb-expressing cells in Atlantic salmon male parr. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 285:113293. [PMID: 31580881 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gnrh) plays a major role in the regulation of physiological and behavioural processes related to reproduction. In the pituitary, it stimulates gonadotropin synthesis and release via activation of Gnrh receptors (Gnrhr), belonging to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Evidence suggests that differential regulation of the two gonadotropins (Fsh and Lh) is achieved through activation of distinct intracellular pathways and, probably, through the action of distinct receptors. However, the roles of the different Gnrhr isoforms in teleosts are still not well understood. This study investigates the gene expression of Gnrhr in the pituitary gland of precociously maturing Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) male parr. A total of six Gnrhr paralogs were identified in the Atlantic salmon genome and named according to phylogenetic relationship; gnrhr1caα, gnrhr1caβ, gnrhr1cbα, gnrhr1cbβ, gnrhr2bbα, gnrhr2bbβ. All paralogs, except gnrhr1caα, were expressed in male parr pituitary during gonadal maturation as evidenced by qPCR analysis. Only one gene, gnrhr2bbα, was differentially expressed depending on maturational stage (yearly cycle), with high expression levels in maturing fish, increasing in parallel with gonadotropin subunit gene expression. Additionally, a correlation in daily expression levels was detected between gnrhr2bbα and lhb (daily cycle) in immature fish in mid-April. Double fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that gnrhr2bbα was expressed exclusively in lhb gonadotropes in the pituitary, with no expression detected in fshb cells. These results suggest the involvement of receptor paralog gnrhr2bbα in the regulation of lhb cells, and not fshb cells, in sexually maturing Atlantic salmon male parr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia Ciani
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Science and Aquatic Medicine, Oslo, Norway
| | - Romain Fontaine
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Science and Aquatic Medicine, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gersende Maugars
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Science and Aquatic Medicine, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rasoul Nourizadeh-Lillabadi
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Science and Aquatic Medicine, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Jan Bogerd
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Reproductive Biology Group, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kristine von Krogh
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Science and Aquatic Medicine, Oslo, Norway
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Science and Aquatic Medicine, Oslo, Norway.
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Dufour S, Quérat B, Tostivint H, Pasqualini C, Vaudry H, Rousseau K. Origin and Evolution of the Neuroendocrine Control of Reproduction in Vertebrates, With Special Focus on Genome and Gene Duplications. Physiol Rev 2019; 100:869-943. [PMID: 31625459 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00009.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, as in the other mammals, the neuroendocrine control of reproduction is ensured by the brain-pituitary gonadotropic axis. Multiple internal and environmental cues are integrated via brain neuronal networks, ultimately leading to the modulation of the activity of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. The decapeptide GnRH is released into the hypothalamic-hypophysial portal blood system and stimulates the production of pituitary glycoprotein hormones, the two gonadotropins luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. A novel actor, the neuropeptide kisspeptin, acting upstream of GnRH, has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Other neuropeptides, such as gonadotropin-inhibiting hormone/RF-amide related peptide, and other members of the RF-amide peptide superfamily, as well as various nonpeptidic neuromediators such as dopamine and serotonin also provide a large panel of stimulatory or inhibitory regulators. This paper addresses the origin and evolution of the vertebrate gonadotropic axis. Brain-pituitary neuroendocrine axes are typical of vertebrates, the pituitary gland, mediator and amplifier of brain control on peripheral organs, being a vertebrate innovation. The paper reviews, from molecular and functional perspectives, the evolution across vertebrate radiation of some key actors of the vertebrate neuroendocrine control of reproduction and traces back their origin along the vertebrate lineage and in other metazoa before the emergence of vertebrates. A focus is given on how gene duplications, resulting from either local events or from whole genome duplication events, and followed by paralogous gene loss or conservation, might have shaped the evolutionary scenarios of current families of key actors of the gonadotropic axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Dufour
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Bruno Quérat
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Hervé Tostivint
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Catherine Pasqualini
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Hubert Vaudry
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Karine Rousseau
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
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Tzoupis H, Nteli A, Platts J, Mantzourani E, Tselios T. Refinement of the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor I homology model by applying molecular dynamics. J Mol Graph Model 2019; 89:147-155. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Manilall A, Stander BA, Madziva MT, Millar RP, Flanagan CA. Glu 2.53(90) of the GnRH receptor is part of the conserved G protein-coupled receptor structure and does not form a salt-bridge with Lys 3.32(121). Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 481:53-61. [PMID: 30476558 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
GnRH receptor mutations, Glu2.53(90)Lys and Glu2.53(90)Asp, cause congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The Glu2.53(90) side-chain has been proposed to form an intramolecular salt-bridge with Lys3.32(121), but conserved intramolecular interaction networks in G protein-coupled receptor crystal structures predict that it interacts with Ser3.35(124) and Trp6.48(280). We investigated interhelical interactions of Glu2.53(90) that stabilise GnRH receptor folding using functional analyses and computational modelling of mutant receptors. The Glu2.53(90)Asp mutant was non-functional, but mutants with hydrophobic amino acids or Arg substituted for Glu2.53(90) were functional, excluding a salt-bridge interaction. The Glu2.53(90)Arg and Trp6.48(280)Arg mutants had decreased affinity for GnRH. Models showed that congenital Glu2.53(90)Lys and Glu2.53(90)Asp mutations disrupt interactions with Ser3.35(124) and Trp6.48(280) respectively, whereas the Glu2.53(90)Arg and Trp6.48(280)Arg mutations preserve intramolecular contacts, but increase distance between the transmembrane helices. Our results show that disruption of interhelical contacts that are conserved in G protein-coupled receptors accounts for the effects of some disease-associated GnRH receptor mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashmeetha Manilall
- School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - B Andre Stander
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael T Madziva
- School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Robert P Millar
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Colleen A Flanagan
- School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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15
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Stark TL, Liberles DA, Holland BR, O'Reilly MM. Analysis of a mechanistic Markov model for gene duplicates evolving under subfunctionalization. BMC Evol Biol 2017; 17:38. [PMID: 28143390 PMCID: PMC5282866 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0848-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene duplication has been identified as a key process driving functional change in many genomes. Several biological models exist for the evolution of a pair of duplicates after a duplication event, and it is believed that gene duplicates can evolve in different ways, according to one process, or a mix of processes. Subfunctionalization is one such process, under which the two duplicates can be preserved by dividing up the function of the original gene between them. Analysis of genomic data using subfunctionalization and related processes has thus far been relatively coarse-grained, with mathematical treatments usually focusing on the phenomenological features of gene duplicate evolution. RESULTS Here, we develop and analyze a mathematical model using the mechanics of subfunctionalization and the assumption of Poisson rates of mutation. By making use of the results from the literature on the Phase-Type distribution, we are able to derive exact analytical results for the model. The main advantage of the mechanistic model is that it leads to testable predictions of the phenomenological behavior (instead of building this behavior into the model a priori), and allows for the estimation of biologically meaningful parameters. We fit the survival function implied by this model to real genome data (Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus and Canis familiaris), and compare the fit against commonly used phenomenological survival functions. We estimate the number of regulatory regions, and rates of mutation (relative to silent site mutation) in the coding and regulatory regions. We find that for the four genomes tested the subfunctionalization model predicts that duplicates most-likely have just a few regulatory regions, and the rate of mutation in the coding region is around 5-10 times greater than the rate in the regulatory regions. This is the first model-based estimate of the number of regulatory regions in duplicates. CONCLUSIONS Strong agreement between empirical results and the predictions of our model suggest that subfunctionalization provides a consistent explanation for the evolution of many gene duplicates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan L Stark
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Tasmania, Churchill Ave, Hobart, 7001, Australia.
| | - David A Liberles
- Center for Computational Genetics and Genomics and Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, 19122, USA
| | - Barbara R Holland
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Tasmania, Churchill Ave, Hobart, 7001, Australia
| | - Małgorzata M O'Reilly
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Tasmania, Churchill Ave, Hobart, 7001, Australia
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16
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Flanagan CA, Manilall A. Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Receptor Structure and GnRH Binding. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:274. [PMID: 29123501 PMCID: PMC5662886 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) regulates reproduction. The human GnRH receptor lacks a cytoplasmic carboxy-terminal tail but has amino acid sequence motifs characteristic of rhodopsin-like, class A, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). This review will consider how recent descriptions of X-ray crystallographic structures of GPCRs in inactive and active conformations may contribute to understanding GnRH receptor structure, mechanism of activation and ligand binding. The structures confirmed that ligands bind to variable extracellular surfaces, whereas the seven membrane-spanning α-helices convey the activation signal to the cytoplasmic receptor surface, which binds and activates heterotrimeric G proteins. Forty non-covalent interactions that bridge topologically equivalent residues in different transmembrane (TM) helices are conserved in class A GPCR structures, regardless of activation state. Conformation-independent interhelical contacts account for a conserved receptor protein structure and their importance in the GnRH receptor structure is supported by decreased expression of receptors with mutations of residues in the network. Many of the GnRH receptor mutations associated with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, including the Glu2.53(90) Lys mutation, involve amino acids that constitute the conserved network. Half of the ~250 intramolecular interactions in GPCRs differ between inactive and active structures. Conformation-specific interhelical contacts depend on amino acids changing partners during activation. Conserved inactive conformation-specific contacts prevent receptor activation by stabilizing proximity of TM helices 3 and 6 and a closed G protein-binding site. Mutations of GnRH receptor residues involved in these interactions, such as Arg3.50(139) of the DRY/S motif or Tyr7.53(323) of the N/DPxxY motif, increase or decrease receptor expression and efficiency of receptor coupling to G protein signaling, consistent with the native residues stabilizing the inactive GnRH receptor structure. Active conformation-specific interhelical contacts stabilize an open G protein-binding site. Progress in defining the GnRH-binding site has recently slowed, with evidence that Tyr6.58(290) contacts Tyr5 of GnRH, whereas other residues affect recognition of Trp3 and Gly10NH2. The surprisingly consistent observations that GnRH receptor mutations that disrupt GnRH binding have less effect on "conformationally constrained" GnRH peptides may now be explained by crystal structures of agonist-bound peptide receptors. Analysis of GPCR structures provides insight into GnRH receptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen A. Flanagan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Colleen A. Flanagan,
| | - Ashmeetha Manilall
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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17
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Furlong M, Seong JY. Evolutionary and Comparative Genomics to Drive Rational Drug Design, with Particular Focus on Neuropeptide Seven-Transmembrane Receptors. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2017; 25:57-68. [PMID: 28035082 PMCID: PMC5207463 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2016.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Seven transmembrane receptors (7TMRs), also known as G protein-coupled receptors, are popular targets of drug development, particularly 7TMR systems that are activated by peptide ligands. Although many pharmaceutical drugs have been discovered via conventional bulk analysis techniques the increasing availability of structural and evolutionary data are facilitating change to rational, targeted drug design. This article discusses the appeal of neuropeptide-7TMR systems as drug targets and provides an overview of concepts in the evolution of vertebrate genomes and gene families. Subsequently, methods that use evolutionary concepts and comparative analysis techniques to aid in gene discovery, gene function identification, and novel drug design are provided along with case study examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Furlong
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Young Seong
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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18
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Hu CK, Southey BR, Romanova EV, Maruska KP, Sweedler JV, Fernald RD. Identification of prohormones and pituitary neuropeptides in the African cichlid, Astatotilapia burtoni. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:660. [PMID: 27543050 PMCID: PMC4992253 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2914-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cichlid fishes have evolved remarkably diverse reproductive, social, and feeding behaviors. Cell-to-cell signaling molecules, notably neuropeptides and peptide hormones, are known to regulate these behaviors across vertebrates. This class of signaling molecules derives from prohormone genes that have undergone multiple duplications and losses in fishes. Whether and how subfunctionalization, neofunctionalization, or losses of neuropeptides and peptide hormones have contributed to fish behavioral diversity is largely unknown. Information on fish prohormones has been limited and is complicated by the whole genome duplication of the teleost ancestor. We combined bioinformatics, mass spectrometry-enabled peptidomics, and molecular techniques to identify the suite of neuropeptide prohormones and pituitary peptide products in Astatotilapia burtoni, a well-studied member of the diverse African cichlid clade. Results Utilizing the A. burtoni genome, we identified 148 prohormone genes, with 21 identified as a single copy and 39 with at least 2 duplicated copies. Retention of prohormone duplicates was therefore 41 %, which is markedly above previous reports for the genome-wide average in teleosts. Beyond the expected whole genome duplication, differences between cichlids and mammals can be attributed to gene loss in tetrapods and additional duplication after divergence. Mass spectrometric analysis of the pituitary identified 620 unique peptide sequences that were matched to 120 unique proteins. Finally, we used in situ hybridization to localize the expression of galanin, a prohormone with exceptional sequence divergence in cichlids, as well as the expression of a proopiomelanocortin, prohormone that has undergone an additional duplication in some bony fish lineages. Conclusion We characterized the A. burtoni prohormone complement. Two thirds of prohormone families contain duplications either from the teleost whole genome duplication or a more recent duplication. Our bioinformatic and mass spectrometric findings provide information on a major vertebrate clade that will further our understanding of the functional ramifications of these prohormone losses, duplications, and sequence changes across vertebrate evolution. In the context of the cichlid radiation, these findings will also facilitate the exploration of neuropeptide and peptide hormone function in behavioral diversity both within A. burtoni and across cichlid and other fish species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2914-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline K Hu
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Present address: Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Bruce R Southey
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Elena V Romanova
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Karen P Maruska
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Jonathan V Sweedler
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Russell D Fernald
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Yun S, Furlong M, Sim M, Cho M, Park S, Cho EB, Reyes-Alcaraz A, Hwang JI, Kim J, Seong JY. Prevertebrate Local Gene Duplication Facilitated Expansion of the Neuropeptide GPCR Superfamily. Mol Biol Evol 2015; 32:2803-17. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msv179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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20
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Madziva MT, Mkhize NN, Flanagan CA, Katz AA. The carboxy-terminal tail or the intracellular loop 3 is required for β-arrestin-dependent internalization of a mammalian type II GnRH receptor. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 411:187-97. [PMID: 25957085 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The type II GnRH receptor (GnRH-R2) in contrast to mammalian type I GnRH receptor (GnRH-R1) has a cytosolic carboxy-terminal tail. We investigated the role of β-arrestin 1 in GnRH-R2-mediated signalling and mapped the regions in GnRH-R2 required for recruitment of β-arrestin, employing internalization assays. We show that GnRH-R2 activation of ERK is dependent on β-arrestin and protein kinase C. Appending the tail of GnRH-R2 to GnRH-R1 enabled GRK- and β-arrestin-dependent internalization of the chimaeric receptor. Surprisingly, carboxy-terminally truncated GnRH-R2 retained β-arrestin and GRK-dependent internalization, suggesting that β-arrestin interacts with additional elements of GnRH-R2. Mutating serine and threonine or basic residues of intracellular loop 3 did not abolish β-arrestin 1-dependent internalization but a receptor lacking these basic residues and the carboxy-terminus showed no β-arrestin 1-dependent internalization. Our results suggest that basic residues at the amino-terminal end of intracellular loop 3 or the carboxy-terminal tail are required for β-arrestin dependent internalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Madziva
- Medical Research Council Research Unit for Receptor Biology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Division of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa; School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Medical School, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nonhlanhla N Mkhize
- Medical Research Council Research Unit for Receptor Biology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Division of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Colleen A Flanagan
- Medical Research Council Research Unit for Receptor Biology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Division of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa; School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Medical School, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Medical Research Council Research Unit for Receptor Biology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Division of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa.
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21
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Mayevu NMI, Choe H, Abagyan R, Seong JY, Millar RP, Katz AA, Flanagan CA. Histidine(7.36(305)) in the conserved peptide receptor activation domain of the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor couples peptide binding and receptor activation. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 402:95-106. [PMID: 25583361 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Transmembrane helix seven residues of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) couple agonist binding to a conserved receptor activation mechanism. Amino-terminal residues of the GnRH peptide determine agonist activity. We investigated GnRH interactions with the His(7.36(305)) residue of the GnRH receptor, using functional and computational analysis of modified GnRH receptors and peptides. Non-polar His(7.36(305)) substitutions decreased receptor affinity for GnRH four- to forty-fold, whereas GnRH signaling potency was more decreased (~150-fold). Uncharged polar His(7.36(305)) substitutions decreased GnRH potency, but not affinity. [2-Nal(3)]-GnRH retained high affinity at receptors with non-polar His(7.36(305)) substitutions, supporting a role for His(7.36(305)) in recognizing Trp(3) of GnRH. Compared with GnRH, [2-Nal(3)]-GnRH potency was lower at the wild type GnRH receptor, but unchanged or higher at mutant receptors. Results suggest that His(7.36(305)) of the GnRH receptor forms two distinct interactions that determine binding to Trp(3) and couple agonist binding to the conserved transmembrane domain network that activates GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nkateko M I Mayevu
- Medical Research Council Receptor Biology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Cape Town Health Sciences Faculty, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Han Choe
- Department of Physiology and Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
| | - Ruben Abagyan
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Jae Young Seong
- Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 136-705, Korea
| | - Robert P Millar
- Medical Research Council Receptor Biology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Cape Town Health Sciences Faculty, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; Mammal Research Institute, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Medical Research Council Receptor Biology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Cape Town Health Sciences Faculty, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Colleen A Flanagan
- Medical Research Council Receptor Biology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Cape Town Health Sciences Faculty, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa.
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Roch GJ, Busby ER, Sherwood NM. GnRH receptors and peptides: skating backward. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014; 209:118-34. [PMID: 25107740 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its receptor are essential for reproduction in vertebrates. Although there are three major types of GnRH peptides and two major types of receptors in vertebrates, the pattern of distribution is unusual. Evidence is presented from genome mining that type I GnRHRs are not restricted to mammals, but can be found in the lobe-finned and cartilaginous fishes. This implies that this tail-less GnRH receptor emerged early in vertebrate evolution, followed by several independent losses in different lineages. Also, we have identified representatives from the three major GnRH peptide types (mammalian GnRH1, vertebrate GnRH2 and dogfish GnRH3) in a single cartilaginous fish, the little skate. Skate and coelacanth are the only examples of animals with both type I and II GnRH receptors and all three peptide types, suggesting this was the ancestral condition in vertebrates. Our analysis of receptor synteny in combination with phylogeny suggests that there were three GnRH receptor types present before the two rounds of whole genome duplication in early vertebrates. To further understand the origin of the GnRH peptide-receptor system, the relationship of vertebrate and invertebrate homologs was examined. Our evidence supports the hypothesis of a GnRH superfamily with a common ancestor for the vertebrate GnRHs, invertebrate (inv)GnRHs, corazonins and adipokinetic hormones. The invertebrate deuterostomes (echinoderms, hemichordates and amphioxus) have derived GnRH-like peptides, although one amphioxus GnRH with a syntenic relationship to human GnRHs has been shown to be functional. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that gene duplications in the ancestral bilaterian produced two receptor types, one of which became adipokinetic hormone receptor/GnRHR and the other corazonin receptor/invGnRHR. It appears that the ancestral deuterostome had both a GnRHR and invGnRHR, and this is still the case in amphioxus. During the transition to vertebrates both the invertebrate-type peptide and receptor were lost, leaving only the vertebrate-type system that presently exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme J Roch
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3N5, Canada.
| | - Ellen R Busby
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3N5, Canada.
| | - Nancy M Sherwood
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3N5, Canada.
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Williams BL, Akazome Y, Oka Y, Eisthen HL. Dynamic evolution of the GnRH receptor gene family in vertebrates. BMC Evol Biol 2014; 14:215. [PMID: 25344287 PMCID: PMC4232701 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-014-0215-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elucidating the mechanisms underlying coevolution of ligands and receptors is an important challenge in molecular evolutionary biology. Peptide hormones and their receptors are excellent models for such efforts, given the relative ease of examining evolutionary changes in genes encoding for both molecules. Most vertebrates possess multiple genes for both the decapeptide gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and for the GnRH receptor. The evolutionary history of the receptor family, including ancestral copy number and timing of duplications and deletions, has been the subject of controversy. RESULTS We report here for the first time sequences of three distinct GnRH receptor genes in salamanders (axolotls, Ambystoma mexicanum), which are orthologous to three GnRH receptors from ranid frogs. To understand the origin of these genes within the larger evolutionary context of the gene family, we performed phylogenetic analyses and probabilistic protein homology searches of GnRH receptor genes in vertebrates and their near relatives. Our analyses revealed four points that alter previous views about the evolution of the GnRH receptor gene family. First, the "mammalian" pituitary type GnRH receptor, which is the sole GnRH receptor in humans and previously presumed to be highly derived because it lacks the cytoplasmic C-terminal domain typical of most G-protein coupled receptors, is actually an ancient gene that originated in the common ancestor of jawed vertebrates (Gnathostomata). Second, unlike previous studies, we classify vertebrate GnRH receptors into five subfamilies. Third, the order of subfamily origins is the inverse of previous proposed models. Fourth, the number of GnRH receptor genes has been dynamic in vertebrates and their ancestors, with multiple duplications and losses. CONCLUSION Our results provide a novel evolutionary framework for generating hypotheses concerning the functional importance of structural characteristics of vertebrate GnRH receptors. We show that five subfamilies of vertebrate GnRH receptors evolved early in the vertebrate phylogeny, followed by several independent instances of gene loss. Chief among cases of gene loss are humans, best described as degenerate with respect to GnRH receptors because we retain only a single, ancient gene.
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Yun S, Kim DK, Furlong M, Hwang JI, Vaudry H, Seong JY. Does Kisspeptin Belong to the Proposed RF-Amide Peptide Family? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:134. [PMID: 25165463 PMCID: PMC4131245 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Kisspeptin (KISS) plays a key role in regulating reproduction by binding to its receptor, GPR54. Because of the Arg-Phe (RF) sequence at its carboxyl terminus, KISS has been proposed to be a member of the RF-amide peptide family consisting of neuropeptide FF (NPFF), neuropeptide VF (NPVF), pyroglutamylated RF-amide peptide (QRFP), and prolactin-releasing hormone (PRLH). Evolutionary relationships of protein families can be determined through phylogenetic analysis. However, phylogenetic analysis among related peptide families often fails to provide sufficient information because only short mature peptide sequences from full preprohormone sequences are conserved. Considering the concept of the coevolution of peptide ligands and their cognate receptors, evolutionary relationships among related receptor families provide clues to explore relationships between their peptides. Although receptors for NPFF, NPVF, and QRFP are phylogenetically clustered together, receptors for PRLH and KISS are on different branches of the phylogenetic tree. In particular, KISS has been proposed to be a member of the KISS/galanin/spexin family based on synteny analysis and the phylogenetic relationship between their receptors. This article discusses the evolutionary history of the receptors for the proposed RF-amide peptide family and proposes that, from an evolutionary aspect, KISS has emerged from an ancestor, which is distinct from those of the other RF-amide peptides, and so should be classed separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongsik Yun
- Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kyu Kim
- Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Michael Furlong
- Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong-Ik Hwang
- Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hubert Vaudry
- INSERM U982, University of Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Jae Young Seong
- Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Jae Young Seong, Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 136-705, South Korea e-mail:
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