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Alternative mRNA splicing of the FMRFamide gene and its role in neuropeptidergic signalling in a defined neural network
Author(s) -
Benjamin Paul R.,
Burke Julian F.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.950160508
Subject(s) - biology , fmrfamide , rna splicing , alternative splicing , gene expression , neuropeptide , gene , messenger rna , precursor mrna , chordin , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , rna , genetics , receptor , gastrulation , embryonic stem cell
Neuronal signalling involves multiple neuropeptides that are diverse in structure and function. Complex patterns of tissue‐specific expression arise from alternate RNA splicing of neuropeptide‐encoding gene transcripts. The pattern of expression and its role in cell signalling is diffecult to study at the level of single neurons in the complex vertebrate brain. However, in the model molluscan system, Lymnaea , it is possible to show that alternate mRNA expression of the FMRFamide gene is specific to single identified neurons. Two different transcripts are expressed in a mutually exclusive manner in different neurons. Post‐translational processing of the two precursor proteins leads to completely distinct sets of neuropeptide transmitters. The function of these transmitter cocktails, resulting from alternate mRNA splicing, was studied physiologically in identified neurons forming part of a behaviourally important network regulating heartbeat.