title: Molecular cloning of VIP and distribution of VIP/VPACR system in the testis of Podarcis sicula.
abstract: Using molecular, biochemical, and cytological tools, we studied the nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequence of PHI/VIP and the distribution of VIP/VPAC receptor system in the testis of the Italian wall lizard Podarcis sicula to evaluate the involvement of such a neuropeptide in the spermatogenesis control. We demonstrated that (1) Podarcis sicula VIP had a high identity with other vertebrate VIP sequences, (2) differently from mammals, VIP was synthesized directly in the testis, and (3) VIP and its receptor VPAC2 were widely distributed in germ and somatic cells, while the VPAC1 R had a distribution limited to Leydig cells. Our results demonstrated that in Podarcis sicula the VIP sequence is highly preserved and that this neuropeptide is involved in lizard spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agnese
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosati
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Coraggio
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valiante
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prisco
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D008116:Lizards / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018005:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051239:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051238:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, Type I / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018005:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D051239:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II; D051238:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, Type I; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide