title: Structural, functional, and evolutionary characterization of novel members of the allatostatin receptor family from insects.
abstract: By using degenerate primers based on known mammalian somatostatin receptors and the recently identified Drosophila allatostatin receptors (AlstR), we have cloned a novel receptor for the neuropeptide, allatostatin, from the cockroach Periplaneta americana. The receptor exhibits about 60% amino acid identity in the transmembrane regions when compared to the two known AlstRs from Drosophila melanogaster. In addition, two cDNA fragments were obtained from the stick insect Carausius morosus, one of which is similar to Drosophila AlstR, whereas the other is more similar to mammalian somatostatin receptors. Functional expression in Xenopus oocytes shows that the Periplaneta-AlstR exhibits high affinity to endogenous cockroach allatostatin peptides. Studies with synthetic peptides demonstrate that agonistic activity is mediated by the conserved C-terminal pentapeptide YXFGL-amide; in this sequence, amidation of the C-terminus is obligatory to maintain affinity. Thus, our studies provide a molecular basis for understanding the widespread biological activities of the allatostatin peptides.
authors.affiliation: Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, ZA-7701, South Africa.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Auerswald
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Birgül
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gäde
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kreienkamp
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richter
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D017344:Genes, Insect; D019476:Insect Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010526:Periplaneta / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014981:Xenopus
chemical_list: C096426:AstA-R1 protein, Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; C076523:allatostatin