title: Neuropeptides and their receptors of the protochordate, Ciona intestinalis: the evolutionary origin of vertebrate neuropeptides.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Suntory Institute for Bioorganic Research, Osaka, Japan. satake@sunbor.or.jp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Satake
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aoyama
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sekiguchi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujie
authors.forename: Nori
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Satoh
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; D018039:Receptors, Tachykinin; D015320:Tachykinins