Journal article
Characterisation of two conopressin precursor isoforms in the land snail, Theba pisana
Peptides, Vol.80, pp.32-39
2016
Abstract
Increased understanding of the molecular components involved in mollusc reproduction may assist in understanding the evolutionary adaptations used by animals, including hermaphrodites, to produce offspring. The neuropeptide conopressin, a member of the vasopressin/oxytocin-like peptide family, can modulate various reproductive activities in invertebrates. In this study, we used the hermaphroditic land snail, Theba pisana, to investigate the presence and tissue-specific distribution of a conopressin gene. Our transcriptomic analysis of T. pisana CNS sheath tissue has revealed two conopressin gene transcripts (Tpi-conopressin-1 and Tpi-conopressin-2), each encoding for precursors containing an identical conopressin nonapeptide and a variable neurophysin. T. pisana conopressins share high identity with other land snails and slugs, as well as other mollusc and vertebrate vasopressin/oxytocin, supported by phylogenetic analysis. Conserved residues in the T. pisana neurophysin are important for peptide binding, and we present molecular dynamic models demonstrating the most likely stable structure of the Tpi-conopressin-1 peptide when associated with neurophysin. RT-PCR shows that Tpi-conopressin-1 is additionally expressed in reproductive tissues, including the dart sac, where abundant spatial expression throughout the sac region is found; this implies a role in 'love' dart synthesis or dart injection during mating. The presence of a conopressin receptor in the CNS sheath indicates CNS neural excitation. In summary, this study represents a detailed molecular analysis of conopressin in a land snail.
Details
- Title
- Characterisation of two conopressin precursor isoforms in the land snail, Theba pisana
- Authors
- Michael J Stewart (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 EngineeringKevin J Adamson (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 EngineeringK B Storey (Author) - Carleton University, CanadaScott F Cummins (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Peptides, Vol.80, pp.32-39
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc.
- Date published
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.12.009
- ISSN
- 0196-9781
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2016. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
- 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
- 99449473102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy