title: Characterisation of Reproduction-Associated Genes and Peptides in the Pest Land Snail, Theba pisana.
abstract: Increased understanding of the molecular components involved in reproduction may assist in understanding the evolutionary adaptations used by animals, including hermaphrodites, to produce offspring and retain a continuation of their lineage. In this study, we focus on the Mediterranean snail, Theba pisana, a hermaphroditic land snail that has become a highly invasive pest species within agricultural areas throughout the world. Our analysis of T. pisana CNS tissue has revealed gene transcripts encoding molluscan reproduction-associated proteins including APGWamide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and an egg-laying hormone (ELH). ELH isoform 1 (ELH1) is known to be a potent reproductive peptide hormone involved in ovulation and egg-laying in some aquatic molluscs. Two other non-CNS ELH isoforms were also present in T. pisana (Tpi-ELH2 and Tpi-ELH3) within the snail dart sac and mucous glands. Bioactivity of a synthetic ELH1 on sexually mature T. pisana was confirmed through bioassay, with snails showing ELH1-induced egg-laying behaviours, including soil burrowing and oviposition. In summary, this study presents a detailed molecular analysis of reproductive neuropeptide genes in a land snail and provides a foundation for understanding ELH function.
authors.affiliation: Genecology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Genecology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia.
authors.forename: Tianfang
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Genecology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia.
authors.forename: Bradley I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.affiliation: Genecology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bose
authors.affiliation: St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, 5000, Canada.
authors.forename: Russell C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Wyeth
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry & Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada.
authors.forename: Kenneth B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Storey
authors.affiliation: Genecology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia.
authors.forename: Scott F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Cummins
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010058:Oviposition / Q000235:genetics*; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D012908:Snails / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D007447:Invertebrate Hormones; D010455:Peptides; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D012313:RNA