title: Alternative splicing generates diversity of VD1/RPD2 alpha peptides in the central nervous system of Lymnaea stagnalis.
abstract: 1. Two giant peptidergic neurons, VD1 and RPD2, of the visceral ganglion and right parietal ganglion of Lymnaea stagnalis, respectively, play an important role in the modulation of complex physiological and behavioral adjustments that occur as a result of changes in O2 availability. 2. By cDNA cloning, we have identified two types of VD1/RPD2 transcripts expressed in VD1 and RPD2. In addition, these transcripts are also expressed in other neurons. 3. Both transcripts encode distinct yet related VD1/RPD2 preprohormones that may be cleaved to yield distinct but overlapping sets of neuropeptides. 4. Using the polymerase chain reaction technique, we could show the existence of additional splice variants. 5. Analysis of the organization of the VD1/RPD2 gene indicates that the alpha peptide coding region is interrupted by a number of introns. 6. We concluded that the mRNA segment encoding the alpha peptide domain of the VD1/RPD2 preprohormones is alternatively spliced, thus generating different alpha peptides.
authors.affiliation: Biological Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bogerd
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Van Kesteren
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Heerikhuizen
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Geraerts
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veenstra
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joosse
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015723:Gene Library; D005796:Genes; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones / Q000235:genetics*; D008195:Lymnaea / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D012326:RNA Splicing; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017385:Sequence Homology
chemical_list: D007447:Invertebrate Hormones; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C082583:VD1-RPD2 alpha preprohormone, Lymnaea; D004247:DNA