Cardioactive neuropeptide Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide) and novel related peptides are encoded in multiple copies by a single gene in the snail Lymnaea stagnalis.
The neuropeptide Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide) is a potent cardioactive neuropeptide in Lymnaea stagnalis. Isolation and sequencing of 2 cDNAs and a genomic clone shows that a single gene encodes a precursor protein which contains 9 copies of the FMRFamide peptide, 2 copies of the related peptide Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FLRFamide), and single copies of the putative pentapeptides Gln-Phe-Tyr-Arg-lle-NH2 (posttranslationally modified to pQFYRlamide) and Glu-Phe-Leu-Arg-lle-NH2 (EFLRlamide). The gene is transcribed in the CNS and gives rise to a single RNA of 1.7 kb in size. The organization of the Lymnaea gene is significant with respect to the evolution of FMRFamide and related peptides in other organisms.
Linacre
A
A
Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom.
Kellett
E
E
Saunders
S
S
Bright
K
K
Benjamin
P R
PR
Burke
J F
JF
D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA; D019835:FMRFamide; D005796:Genes; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D008195:Lymnaea / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019835:FMRFamide; D004247:DNA