title: In Silico Prediction of Neuropeptides/Peptide Hormone Transcripts in the Cheilostome Bryozoan Bugula neritina.
abstract: The bryozoan Bugula neritina has a biphasic life cycle that consists of a planktonic larval stage and a sessile juvenile/adult stage. The transition between these two stages is crucial for the development and recruitment of B. neritina. Metamorphosis in B. neritina is mediated by both the nervous system and the release of developmental signals. However, no research has been conducted to investigate the expression of neuropeptides (NP)/peptide hormones in B. neritina larvae. Here, we report a comprehensive study of the NP/peptide hormones in the marine bryozoan B. neritina based on in silico identification methods. We recovered 22 transcripts encompassing 11 NP/peptide hormone precursor transcript sequences. The transcript sequences of the 11 isolated NP precursors were validated by cDNA cloning using gene-specific primers. We also examined the expression of three peptide hormone precursor transcripts (BnFDSIG, BnILP1, BnGPB) in the coronate larvae of B. neritina, demonstrating their distinct expression patterns in the larvae. Overall, our findings serve as an important foundation for subsequent investigations of the peptidergic control of bryozoan larval behavior and settlement.
authors.affiliation: Division of Life Science, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Yue Him
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Division of Life Science, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Division of Life Science, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Division of Life Science, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.|Sanya Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, San Ya, Hai Nan, China.
authors.forename: Li-Sheng
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Division of Life Science, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.|Sanya Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, San Ya, Hai Nan, China.
authors.forename: Pei-Yuan
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Qian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002013:Bryozoa / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D059467:Transcriptome / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D007447:Invertebrate Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; D036361:Peptide Hormones