Neuropeptide evolution: Neurohormones and neuropeptides predicted from the genomes of Capitella teleta and Helobdella robusta

Veenstra JA(1).

Author information:
(1)Université de Bordeaux, INCIA UMR 5287 CNRS, 33400 Talence, France.

Genes encoding neurohormones and neuropeptide precursors were identified in the
genomes of two annelids, the leech Helobdella robusta and the polychaete worm
Capitella teleta. Although no neuropeptides have been identified from these two
species and relatively few neuropeptides from annelids in general, 43 and 35 such
genes were found in Capitella and Helobdella, respectively. The predicted
peptidomes of these two species are similar to one another and also similar to
those of mollusks, particular in the case of Capitella. Helobdella seems to have
less neuropeptide genes than Capitella and it lacks the glycoprotein hormones
bursicon and GPA2/GPB5; in both cases the genes coding the two subunits as well
as the genes coding their receptors are absent from its genome. In Helobdella
several neuropeptide genes are duplicated, thus it has five NPY genes, including
one pseudogene, as well as four genes coding Wwamides (allatostatin B). Genes
coding achatin, allatotropin, allatostatin C, conopressin, FFamide, FLamide,
FMRFamide, GGRFamide, GnRH, myomodulin, NPY, pedal peptides, RGWamide (a likely
APGWamide homolog), RXDLamide, VR(F/I)amide, WWamide were found in both species,
while genes coding cerebrin, elevenin, GGNG, LFRWamide, LRFYamide, luqin,
lymnokinin and tachykinin were only found in Capitella.

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2011.01.005
PMID: 21241702 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus