Myoinhibiting Peptides are the Ancestral Ligands of the Promiscuous Drosophila Sex Peptide Receptor

Abstract

Male insects change behaviors of female partners by co-transferring accessory gland proteins (Acps) like sex peptide (SP), with their sperm. The Drosophila sex peptide receptor (SPR) is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in the female's nervous system and genital tract. While most Acps show a fast rate of evolution, SPRs are highly conserved in insects. We report activation of SPRs by evolutionary conserved myoinhibiting peptides (MIPs). Structural determinants in SP and MIPs responsible for this dual receptor activation are characterized. Drosophila SPR is also expressed in embryonic and larval stages and in the adult male nervous system, whereas SP expression is restricted to the male reproductive system. MIP transcripts occur in male and female central nervous system, possibly acting as endogenous SPR ligands. Evolutionary consequences of the promiscuous nature of SPRs are discussed. MIPs likely function as ancestral ligands of SPRs and could place evolutionary constraints on the MIP/SPR class.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA549278

Entities

People

  • Boris Van Hiel
  • Hans P. Vandersmissen
  • Jeroen Poels
  • Jozef Vanden Broeck
  • Ronald J. Nachman
  • Sofie Van Soest
  • Tom Van Loy

Organizations

  • United States Department of Agriculture

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amino Acids
  • Animal Structures
  • Biological Sciences
  • Cell Line
  • Cells
  • Central Nervous System
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Diptera
  • Drosophila
  • Electronic Mail
  • Genitalia
  • Insects
  • Lepidoptera
  • Nervous System
  • Pest Control
  • Reproductive System

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

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  • Gender and Food Studies
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry