AI Article Synopsis
- Kisspeptins are neuropeptides that play a crucial role in reproductive maturation by stimulating hormone release in mammals, but little is known about their function in invertebrates, particularly in starfish.
- Researchers have discovered an expanded family of eleven kisspeptin-type receptors in the starfish Asterias rubens, along with multiple neuropeptides that act as ligands for these receptors, including those derived from specific precursor proteins.
- This research highlights the diversity of neuropeptides in starfish and suggests significant evolutionary insights into kisspeptin signaling, including a new relationship between kisspeptins and previously known neuropeptides, SALMFamides.
Article Abstract
Background: Kisspeptins are neuropeptides that regulate reproductive maturation in mammals via G-protein-coupled receptor-mediated stimulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion from the hypothalamus. Phylogenetic analysis of kisspeptin-type receptors indicates that this neuropeptide signaling system originated in a common ancestor of the Bilateria, but little is known about kisspeptin signaling in invertebrates.
Results: Contrasting with the occurrence of a single kisspeptin receptor in mammalian species, here, we report the discovery of an expanded family of eleven kisspeptin-type receptors in a deuterostome invertebrate - the starfish Asterias rubens (phylum Echinodermata). Furthermore, neuropeptides derived from four precursor proteins were identified as ligands for six of these receptors. One or more kisspeptin-like neuropeptides derived from two precursor proteins (ArKPP1, ArKPP2) act as ligands for four A. rubens kisspeptin-type receptors (ArKPR1,3,8,9). Furthermore, a family of neuropeptides that act as muscle relaxants in echinoderms (SALMFamides) are ligands for two A. rubens kisspeptin-type receptors (ArKPR6,7). The SALMFamide neuropeptide S1 (or ArS1.4) and a 'cocktail' of the seven neuropeptides derived from the S1 precursor protein (ArS1.1-ArS1.7) act as ligands for ArKPR7. The SALMFamide neuropeptide S2 (or ArS2.3) and a 'cocktail' of the eight neuropeptides derived from the S2 precursor protein (ArS2.1-ArS2.8) act as ligands for ArKPR6.
Conclusions: Our findings reveal a remarkable diversity of neuropeptides that act as ligands for kisspeptin-type receptors in starfish and provide important new insights into the evolution of kisspeptin signaling. Furthermore, the discovery of the hitherto unknown relationship of kisspeptins with SALMFamides, neuropeptides that were discovered in starfish prior to the identification of kisspeptins in mammals, presents a radical change in perspective for research on kisspeptin signaling.
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Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9400282 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12915-022-01387-z | DOI Listing |
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Receptor deorphanization in an echinoderm reveals kisspeptin evolution and relationship with SALMFamide neuropeptides.
BMC Biol
August 2022
Queen Mary University of London, School of Biological & Behavioural Sciences, London, E1 4NS, UK.
Background: Kisspeptins are neuropeptides that regulate reproductive maturation in mammals via G-protein-coupled receptor-mediated stimulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion from the hypothalamus. Phylogenetic analysis of kisspeptin-type receptors indicates that this neuropeptide signaling system originated in a common ancestor of the Bilateria, but little is known about kisspeptin signaling in invertebrates.
Results: Contrasting with the occurrence of a single kisspeptin receptor in mammalian species, here, we report the discovery of an expanded family of eleven kisspeptin-type receptors in a deuterostome invertebrate - the starfish Asterias rubens (phylum Echinodermata).
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