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Characterization of novel neurotensin‐like peptides from the neural complex of the ascidian, Ciona intestinalis
Author(s) -
Kawada Tsuyoshi,
Itoh Yoshiyuki,
Ogasawara Michio,
Sekiguchi Toshio,
Satake Honoo
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1047.2
Subject(s) - ciona intestinalis , ciona , neurotensin , biology , neuropeptide , chordate , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , vertebrate , genetics , receptor
The ascidian, Ciona intestinalis, has a pivotal evolutionary position as a protochordate. Comprehensive analyses of the Ciona neural complex extracts using mass spectrometry followed by the Ciona genomic DNA/EST database‐searching detected more than novel twenty peptides including six neurotensin‐homologous or ‐analogous peptides encoded in two genes. Neurotensin is a brain/gut peptide involved in hypothermia, antinociceptin, dopamine neurotransmission, and stimulation of anterior pituitary hormone secretion as a neuropeptide in the central nervous system, and digestive and cardiovascular functions as a paracrine and endocrine factor in peripheral tissues. The neurotensin family peptides were identified in only mammals and birds but not from other vertebrate species. The Ciona neurotensin‐like peptides contain the PSIL, PSII or PSVI sequences at their C‐termini, which are analogous to the neurotensin consensus sequence RRPYIL responsible for their physiological actions. In this presentation, we show the primary sequences gene organization and localization of the Ciona neurotensin‐like peptides. Our results suggest that the ancestral neurotensin gene is conserved in Ciona intestinalis.