Isolation and characterization of a leucokinin-like peptide of Drosophila melanogaster

Terhzaz, S. , O'Connell, F. C., Pollock, V. P., Kean, L., Davies, S. A. , Veenstra, J. A. and Dow, J. A. (1999) Isolation and characterization of a leucokinin-like peptide of Drosophila melanogaster. Journal of Experimental Biology, 202(Pt 24), pp. 3667-3676. (PMID:10574744)

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Publisher's URL: http://jeb.biologists.org/content/202/24/3667.article-info

Abstract

The leucokinin (LK) family of neuropeptides has been found widely amongst invertebrates. A member of this family was purified from adults of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The peptide sequence for Drosophila leucokinin (DLK) was determined as Asn-Ser-Val-Val-Leu-Gly-Lys-Lys-Gln-Arg-Phe-His-Ser-Trp-Gly-amide, making it the longest member of the family characterized to date. Synthetic DLK peptide was shown to act to stimulate fluid secretion in D. melanogaster Malpighian (renal) tubules by approximately threefold, with an EC(50) of approximately 10(−)(10)mol l(−)(1), and a secondary effect at approximately 10(−)(7)mol l(−)(1). DLK also acted to elevate intracellular [Ca(2+)] in the Malpighian tubules by approximately threefold, with an EC(50) of 10(−)(10) to 10(−)(9)mol l(−)(1). Responses were detected in stellate cells and occasionally in principal cells, although at no concentration tested did [Ca(2+)] in the principal cell increase significantly above background. In stellate cells, DLK produced a biphasic rise in intracellular [Ca(2+)] from resting levels of 80–100 nmol l(−)(1), with a transient peak being followed by a slower rise that peaked at 200–300 nmol l(−)(1) after 3 s, then decayed over approximately 10 s. The wide range of concentrations over which DLK acts suggests the involvement of more than one receptor. The genomic sequence encoding the DLK peptide has been identified, and the gene has been named pp. The gene resides at cytological location 70E3-70F4 of chromosome 3L. The localisation of this first Drosophila LK gene in a genetic model permits a genetic analysis of the locus.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dow, Professor Julian and Terhzaz, Dr Selim and Davies, Professor Shireen
Authors: Terhzaz, S., O'Connell, F. C., Pollock, V. P., Kean, L., Davies, S. A., Veenstra, J. A., and Dow, J. A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
Journal Name:Journal of Experimental Biology
Publisher:Company of Biologists
ISSN:0022-0949
ISSN (Online):1477-9145
Published Online:29 November 1999

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