Molecular cloning and characterization of an allatostatin-like receptor in the cockroach Diploptera punctata.
Two Drosophila receptors (AlstR/DAR-1 and DAR-2) with sequence similarity to mammalian galanin receptors have been previously identified. These receptors have been shown to form specific interactions with neuropeptides that resemble cockroach allatostatins (ASTs), which have a characteristic Tyr/Phe-Xaa-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2 carboxyl-terminus. We hypothesized that similar allatostatin receptors exist in the cockroach Diploptera punctata that may regulate the numerous effects that this family of peptides exerts on a range of target tissues. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used, with primer design based on the Drosophila allatostatin receptor (AlstR). Using these primers, a putative allatostatin-like receptor cDNA was isolated from a lambda ZAP-cDNA library prepared from the corpora allata of the D. punctata. As an approach to testing the function of this receptor in vivo, the technique of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) gene interference was tested. Initial experiments suggest that the putative inhibition of receptor RNA expression may increase juvenile hormone (JH) production.
Lungchukiet
Panida
P
Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.
Donly
B Cameron
BC
Zhang
Jinrui
J
Tobe
Stephen S
SS
Bendena
William G
WG
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003335:Corpora Allata / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D007605:Juvenile Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D010802:Phylogeny; D034622:RNA Interference; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D007605:Juvenile Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; C076523:allatostatin