Author:

Keywords:

insect endocrinology, reproduction, neuropeptide, gonadotropin, testis, cyclase-activating polypeptide, phormia, search, Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Zoology, CYCLASE-ACTIVATING POLYPEPTIDE, PHORMIA, SEARCH, 0608 Zoology, 3109 Zoology

Abstract:

Originally, two forms of cyclic AMP Generating Peptide (cGP) were identified in whole body extracts of the flesh fly Neobellieria bullata. The long form, a 48-mer, stimulated cAMP production by Malpighian tubules of Manduca sexta. The short form, which had been discovered previously with an ovarian bioassay, turned out to be the 1-15 aa sequence of the 48-mer. We here report on the cloning, sequencing and expression profile of the cGP-gene in N. bullata. The full-length cDNA sequence, obtained by RT-PCR in combination with 5' and 3' RACE, encodes a single copy of the cGP precursor. No signal peptide is present in this precursor, which, compared to the mature peptide, is only extended at the N-terminus with an extra methionine residue. RT-PCR revealed that Neb-cGP is expressed in both larval and adult brain, testis and ovaries, flight muscles, Malpighian tubules, midgut, and fat body.