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Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide in the testis of the quail Coturnix coturnix : Expression, localization, and phylogenetic analysis
Author(s) -
Prisco Marina,
Rosati Luigi,
Agnese Marisa,
Aceto Serena,
Andreuccetti Piero,
Valiante Salvatore
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
evolution and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.651
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1525-142X
pISSN - 1520-541X
DOI - 10.1111/ede.12285
Subject(s) - quail , biology , cyclase , coturnix , phylogenetic tree , medicine , receptor , endocrinology , spermatogenesis , coturnix japonica , adenylate kinase , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics
To evaluate the involvement of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP)/receptors system in the control of testis activity, we have investigated the expression and localization of PACAP and the distribution of its receptors in the testis of mature samples of quail Coturnix coturnix , and we have performed a phylogenetic analysis of PACAP in birds. Using histological, molecular, and bioinformatics tools, we demonstrated that (a) PACAP messenger RNA shows a high sequence identity with that reported in other birds studied so far and in other vertebrates. Furthermore, we showed that purifying selection acts on PACAP; (b) the PACAP peptide is present only in Leydig cells, whereas its receptors are localized within both Leydig and germ cells; (c) the synthesis of PACAP does not take place in seminiferous tubules. The role of PACAP in the control of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in birds is discussed. Finally, we talk about the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships between PACAP in birds and in other vertebrates.