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Peptides

Title:		"Identification and functional characterization of a pyrokinin neuropeptide receptor in the Lyme disease vector, Ixodes scapularis"
Author(s):		Gondalia K; Qudrat A; Bruno B; Fleites Medina J; Paluzzi JV;
Address:		"Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada. Vivarium Facility, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada. Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada. Electronic address: paluzzi@yorku.ca"
Journal Title:		Peptides
Year:		2016
Volume:		20160922
Issue:
Page Number:		42 - 54
DOI:		10.1016/j.peptides.2016.09.011
ISSN/ISBN:		1873-5169 (Electronic) 0196-9781 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Pyrokinin-related peptides are pleiotropic factors that are defined by their conserved C-terminal sequence FXPRL-NH(2). The pyrokinin nomenclature derives from their originally identified myotropic actions and, as seen in some family members, a blocked amino terminus with pyroglutamate. The black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is well known as a vector of Lyme disease and various other illnesses; however, in comparison to blood-feeding insects, knowledge on its physiology (along with other Ixodid ticks) is rather limited. In this study, we have isolated, examined the expression profile, and functionally deorphanized the pyrokinin peptide receptor in the medically important tick, I. scapularis. Phylogenetic analysis supports that the cloned receptor is indeed a bona fide member of the pyrokinin-related peptide receptor family. The tick pyrokinin receptor transcript expression is most abundant in the central nervous system (i.e. synganglion), but is also detected in trachea, female reproductive tissues, and in a pooled sample comprised of Malpighian (renal) tubules and the hindgut. Finally, functional characterization of the identified receptor confirmed it as a pyrokinin peptide receptor as it was activated equally by four endogenous pyrokinin-related peptides. The receptor was slightly promiscuous as it was also activated by a peptide sharing some structural similarity, namely the CAPA-periviserokinin (CAPA-PVK) peptide. Nonetheless, the I. scapularis pyrokinin receptor required a CAPA-PVK peptide concentration of well over three orders of magnitude to achieve a comparable receptor activation response, which indicates it is quite selective for its native pyrokinin peptide ligands. This study sets the stage for future research to examine the prospective tissue targets identified in order to resolve the physiological roles of this family of peptides in Ixodid ticks"
Keywords:		"Amino Acid Sequence Animals Arthropod Proteins/chemistry/*metabolism Arthropod Vectors/*metabolism Base Sequence CHO Cells Conserved Sequence Cricetinae Cricetulus Evolution, Molecular Female Ixodes/*metabolism Male Neuropeptides/physiology Phylogeny Rece;"
Notes:		"MedlineGondalia, Kinsi Qudrat, Anam Bruno, Brigida Fleites Medina, Janet Paluzzi, Jean-Paul V eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2016/10/30 Peptides. 2016 Dec; 86:42-54. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2016.09.011. Epub 2016 Sep 22"