Identification of the gene encoding bursicon, an insect neuropeptide responsible for cuticle sclerotization and wing spreading

Current Biology : CB
Elizabeth M DeweyHans-Willi Honegger

Abstract

To accommodate growth, insects must periodically replace their exoskeletons. After shedding the old cuticle, the new soft cuticle must sclerotize. Sclerotization has long been known to be controlled by the neuropeptide hormone bursicon, but its large size of 30 kDa has frustrated attempts to determine its sequence and structure. Using partial sequences obtained from purified cockroach bursicon, we identified the Drosophila melanogaster gene CG13419 as a candidate bursicon gene. CG13419 encodes a peptide with a predicted final molecular weight of 15 kDa, which likely functions as a dimer. This predicted bursicon protein belongs to the cystine knot family, which includes vertebrate transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and glycoprotein hormones. Point mutations in the bursicon gene cause defects in cuticle sclerotization and wing expansion behavior. Bioassays show that these mutants have decreased bursicon bioactivity. In situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry revealed that bursicon is co-expressed with crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP). Transgenic flies that lack CCAP neurons also lacked bursicon bioactivity. Our results indicate that CG13419 encodes bursicon, the last of the classic set of insect developmental hor...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 14, 2008·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·Hans-Willi HoneggerJohn Ewer
Oct 7, 2010·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Carolina MöllerFrank Marí
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Apr 17, 2007·Genetics·Hugh M RobertsonHans-Willi Honegger
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