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Evolution of Complementary Peptide Systems
Author(s) -
Lovejoy David A.,
Rotzinger Susan,
BarsyteLovejoy Dalia
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03629.x
Subject(s) - urocortin , biology , gene family , gene , peptide , peptide sequence , genetics , amino acid , receptor , biochemistry , gene expression
In chordates, the corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) family of peptides consists of four paralogous lineages that include CRF, urocortin/urotensin‐I, urocortin 2, and urocortin 3. Related to the CRF peptide family is the diuretic hormone family found in insects. This family consists of a number of paralogous lineages within the Insecta. The teneurin C‐terminal‐associated peptides (TCAP) are a recently described family of peptides with evolutionary origins around the same time as the CRF family. This family consists of four independent lineages in chordates that are orthologous to peptides in the Insecta. Like CRF, the peptides are 40 or 41 amino acids in length and share about 20% sequence identity to the CRF family members. Each of the four TCAP peptides is encoded by an exon that is closely associated with the teneurin gene. Recent studies indicate that TCAP can block CRF‐mediated c‐fos expression in the brain and modulate CRF‐mediated behaviors. Thus, the TCAP family may act, in part, to modulate the physiological actions of the CRF family.