title: Cloning of a novel G-protein-coupled receptor from the sea anemone nervous system.
abstract: We describe the cloning and analysis of genomic and cDNA copies of a gene from sea anemones that encodes a new member of the G-protein-coupled receptor family. The receptor shows similarity to previously described receptors for biogenic amines such as adrenaline, serotonin, and octopamine, as well as a variety of small molecule agonists and peptides, although we have been unable to determine which ligand is the natural agonist. Antibodies generated against the recombinant receptor protein identify a single protein with a molecular weight of 66 kDa in membrane preparations. Immunofluorescence studies using the same antibody have enabled localization of the receptor in the nervous system. Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis reveal that a homologue of this receptor is expressed in jellyfish and soft coral. We suggest that the receptor plays a role in neurotransmission in the sea anemone and other members of the phylum Cnidaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: New
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009420:Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D037401:Scyphozoa / Q000737:chemistry; D012615:Sea Anemones / Q000737:chemistry*; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins