title: Specific activation of the G protein-coupled receptor BNGR-A21 by the neuropeptide corazonin from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, dually couples to the G(q) and G(s) signaling cascades.
abstract: Corazonin, an undecapeptide neurohormone sharing a highly conserved amino acid sequence across Insecta, plays different physiological roles in the regulation of heart contraction rates, silk spinning rates, the induction of dark color and morphometric phase changes, and ecdysis. Corazonin receptors have been identified in Drosophila melanogaster, Manduca sexta, and Musca domestica. However, detailed information on the signaling and major physiological functions of corazonin and its receptor is largely unknown. In the current study, using both the mammalian cell line HEK293 and insect cell lines BmN and Sf21, we paired the Bombyx corazonin neuropeptide as a specific endogenous ligand for the Bombyx neuropeptide G protein-coupled receptor A21 (BNGR-A21), and we therefore designated this receptor as BmCrzR. Further characterization indicated that synthetic BmCrz demonstrated a high affinity for and activated BmCrzR, resulting in intracellular cAMP accumulation, Ca(2+) mobilization, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation via the Gq- and Gs-coupled signaling pathways. The direct interaction of BmCrzR with BmCrz was confirmed by a rhodamine-labeled BmCrz peptide. Moreover, experiments with double-stranded RNA and synthetic peptide injection suggested a possible role of BmCrz/BmCrzR in the regulation of larval growth and spinning rate. Our present results provide the first in-depth information on BmCrzR-mediated signaling for further elucidation of the BmCrz/BmCrzR system in the regulation of fundamental physiological processes.
authors: Department of Economic Zoology, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
authors: Jingwen
authors: J
authors: Yang
authors: Haishan
authors: H
authors: Huang
authors: Huipeng
authors: H
authors: Yang
authors: Xiaobai
authors: X
authors: He
authors: Xue
authors: X
authors: Jiang
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Shi
authors: Damirin
authors: D
authors: Alatangaole
authors: Liangen
authors: L
authors: Shi
authors: Naiming
authors: N
authors: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D043802:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000502:physiology*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000502:physiology; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C060602:corazonin protein, insect; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D043802:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs; D002118:Calcium