title: The Dh gene of Drosophila melanogaster encodes a diuretic peptide that acts through cyclic AMP.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: IBLS Division of Molecular Genetics, University of Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cabrero
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.forename: Kate E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Broderick
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Costes
authors.forename: Jan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Veenstra
authors.forename: Eric P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Spana
authors.forename: Shireen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Julian A T
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dow
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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