Journal article
Characterisation of Reproduction-Associated Genes and Peptides in the Pest Land Snail, Theba pisana
PLoS One, Vol.11(10), e0162355
2016
Abstract
Increased understanding of the molecular components involved in reproduction may assist in understanding the evolutionary adaptations used by animals, including hermaphrodites, to produce offspring and retain a continuation of their lineage. In this study, we focus on the Mediterranean snail, Theba pisana, a hermaphroditic land snail that has become a highly invasive pest species within agricultural areas throughout the world. Our analysis of T. pisana CNS tissue has revealed gene transcripts encoding molluscan reproduction-associated proteins including APGWamide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and an egg-laying hormone (ELH). ELH isoform 1 (ELH1) is known to be a potent reproductive peptide hormone involved in ovulation and egg-laying in some aquatic molluscs. Two other non-CNS ELH isoforms were also present in T. pisana (Tpi-ELH2 and Tpi-ELH3) within the snail dart sac and mucous glands. Bioactivity of a synthetic ELH1 on sexually mature T. pisana was confirmed through bioassay, with snails showing ELH1-induced egg-laying behaviours, including soil burrowing and oviposition. In summary, this study presents a detailed molecular analysis of reproductive neuropeptide genes in a land snail and provides a foundation for understanding ELH function.
Details
- Title
- Characterisation of Reproduction-Associated Genes and Peptides in the Pest Land Snail, Theba pisana
- Authors
- Michael J Stewart (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringTianfang Wang (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringBradley Harding (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringUtpal Bose (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringRussell C Wyeth (Author) - St. Francis Xavier University, Nova ScotiaKenneth B Storey (Author) - Carleton University, CanadaScott F Cummins (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- PLoS One, Vol.11(10), e0162355; 17
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Date published
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0162355
- ISSN
- 1932-6203
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2016 Stewart et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450522502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Zoology