A novel neuropeptide, Hym-355, positively regulates neuron differentiation in Hydra.
During the course of a systematic screening of peptide signaling molecules in Hydra a novel peptide, Hym-355 (FPQSFLPRG-NH(2)), was identified. A cDNA encoding the peptide was isolated and characterized. Using both in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, Hym-355 was shown to be expressed in neurons and hence is a neuropeptide. The peptide was shown to specifically enhance neuron differentiation throughout the animal by inducing interstitial cells to enter the neuron pathway. Further, co-treatment with a PW peptide, which inhibits neuron differentiation, nullified the effects of both peptides, suggesting that they act in an antagonistic manner. This effect is discussed in terms of a feedback mechanism for maintaining the steady state neuron population in Hydra.
Takahashi
T
T
National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.
Koizumi
O
O
Ariura
Y
Y
Romanovitch
A
A
Bosch
T C
TC
Kobayakawa
Y
Y
Mohri
S
S
Bode
H R
HR
Yum
S
S
Hatta
M
M
Fujisawa
T
T
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006829:Hydra / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008940:Mitotic Index; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals / Q000737:chemistry
C405937:Hym-355 neuropeptide; D009479:Neuropeptides; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals