The Dh gene of Drosophila melanogaster encodes a diuretic peptide that acts through cyclic AMP.
Dh, the gene that encodes a CRF-like peptide in Drosophila melanogaster, is described. The product of this gene is a 44-amino-acid peptide (Drome-DH(44)) with a sequence almost identical to the Musca domestica and Stomoxys calcitrans diuretic hormones. There are no other similar peptides encoded within the known Drosophila genomic sequence. Functional studies showed that the deduced peptide stimulated fluid production, and that this effect was mediated by cyclic AMP in principal cells only: there was no effect on the levels of either cyclic GMP or intracellular calcium. Stimulation also elevated levels of cyclic AMP (but not cyclic GMP) phosphodiesterase, a new mode of action for this class of hormone. The transcript was localised by in situ hybridisation, and the peptide by immunocytochemistry, to two groups of three neurones in the pars intercerebralis within the brain. These cells also express receptors for leucokinin, another major diuretic peptide, implying that the cells may be important in homeostatic regulation.
Cabrero
Pablo
P
IBLS Division of Molecular Genetics, University of Glasgow, UK.
Radford
Jonathan C
JC
Broderick
Kate E
KE
Costes
Laurence
L
Veenstra
Jan A
JA
Spana
Eric P
EP
Davies
Shireen A
SA
Dow
Julian A T
JA
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment
C480120:Dh44 protein, Drosophila; D004232:Diuretics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones; D010455:Peptides; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D002118:Calcium