Neuropeptides and their receptors of the protochordate, Ciona intestinalis: the evolutionary origin of vertebrate neuropeptides.
Ci-TK and Ci-TK-R are authentic tachykinin (TK) and TK receptor isolated from a protochordate, Ciona intestinalis. In this study, we investigated a novel function of TK as an enhancer of oocyte growth. Ci-TK-R is expressed specifically in the Ciona vitellogenic oocytes. Moreover, administration of Ci-TK to the Ciona ovary resulted in upregulation of gene expression and enzymatic activity of several proteases. Moreover, maturation of the Ciona oocytes from the vitellogenic stage to the post-vitellogenic stage was induced in the presence of Ci-TK, which was completely blocked by addition of protease inhibitors.
Satake
H
H
Suntory Institute for Bioorganic Research, Osaka, Japan. satake@sunbor.or.jp
Aoyama
M
M
Kawada
T
T
Sekiguchi
T
T
Sakai
T
T
Fujie
M
M
Satoh
Nori
N
D000818:Animals; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000378:metabolism*; D018039:Receptors, Tachykinin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014714:Vertebrates
D009479:Neuropeptides; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; D018039:Receptors, Tachykinin; D015320:Tachykinins