Expression of the molt-inhibiting hormone-like gene in the eyestalk and brain of the white shrimp Penaeus vannamei.
Neuropeptides from the X-organ-sinus gland complex in the eyestalk have important roles in the regulation of growth and maturation in crustaceans. A complementary DNA encoding a molt-inhibiting hormone-like (MIH-like) neuropeptide from the eyestalk of Penaeus vannamei has been isolated and cloned in this laboratory. Using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method, the gene encoding the MIH-like neuropeptide was shown to be expressed in the brain as well as in the eyestalk. Subsequent cloning and sequencing of the PCR products showed that the MIH-like gene transcript of the brain shares 98% sequence identity with that of the eyestalk. In situ hybridization experiments showed that the MIH-like messenger RNA is exclusively localized in the X-organ complex in the medulla terminalis of the eyestalk, whereas in the brain the MIH-like gene transcript was detected in three regions including the neurosecretory cells, giant cells, and lateral cell bodies. These data suggest that the MIH-like peptide could have a specific function in nervous system activity other than its classic molt-inhibiting function.
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Molecular Endocrinology Program, Pacific Biomedical Research Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822, USA.
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D005123:Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009928:Organ Specificity; D033561:Penaeidae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D017931:DNA Primers; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; C012445:molt-inhibiting hormone