The crustacean hyperglycemic hormone precursors a and b of the Norway lobster differ in the preprohormone but not in the mature peptide

The neuro-endocrine X-organ sinus-gland complex of crustaceans produces and releases the neuropeptides of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (cHH)/molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH)/gonad-inhibiting hormone (GIH) family that regulate important physiological processes, such as growth, reproduction and molting. We cloned two full-length cDNAs encoding the preprocHH-A and preprocHH-B of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus of 132 and 131 amino acid residues. The two cHHs differ in the preprohormone but not in the mature peptide sequence. The mature cHH was expressed in bacteria as GST fusion protein that, in bioassay, shows a hyperglycemic activity similar to that of native cHH present in an eyestalk extract.     

Characterization and sequence elucidation of a novel peptide with molt-inhibiting activity from the South African spiny lobster, Jasus lalandii

We have isolated a peptide from extracts of sinus glands from a South African spiny lobster species, Jasus lalandii, by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified it as a putative molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) by (i) an in vitro assay with J. lalandii Y-organs to measure the inhibition of ecdysteroid synthesis and (ii) an immunoassay using antiserum raised against MIH of the edible crab. The MIH of J. lalandii has 74 amino acid residues, a molecular mass of 9006 Da, a free N-terminus and an amidated C-terminus. The full primary sequence has been obtained from sequencing various digest fragments (tryptic, endoproteinase Asp-N, cyanogen bromide) of the unreduced (native) peptide: RFTFDCPGMMGQRYLYEQVEQVCDDCYNLYREEKIAVNCRENCFLNSWFTVCLQATMREHETPRFDIWR SIILKA-NH(2). Structural comparisons with other peptides show that the J. lalandii MIH belongs to the peptide family which includes the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone, molt-inhibiting hormone and vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone (cHH/MIH/VIH). This novel peptide has 36-43% sequence identity to putative MIHs from other decapod crustaceans and 32-34% identity to the two cHH peptides previously identified in this spiny lobster species. This is the first report of a peptide with MIH activity in the Palinuridae infraorder.     

The solution structure of molt-inhibiting hormone from the Kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus

Molting in crustaceans is controlled by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) and ecdysteroids. It is presumed that MIH inhibits the synthesis and the secretion of ecdysteroids by the Y-organ, resulting in molt suppression. The amino acid sequence of MIH is similar to that of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), and therefore, they form a peptide family referred to as the CHH family. Most of the CHH family peptides show no cross-activity, whereas a few peptides show multiple hormonal activities. To reveal the structural basis of this functional specificity, we determined the solution structure of MIH from the Kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus and compared the solution structure of MIH with a homology-modeled structure of M. japonicus CHH. The solution structure of MIH consisted of five alpha-helices and no beta-structures, constituting a novel structural motif. The homology-modeled structure of M. japonicus CHH was very similar to the solution structure of MIH with the exception of the absence of the N-terminal alpha-helix and the C-terminal tail, which were sterically close to each other. The surface properties of MIH around this region were quite different from those of CHH. These results strongly suggest that this region is a functionally important site for conferring molt-inhibiting activity.     

Expression of a recombinant molt-inhibiting hormone of the kuruma prawn Penaeus japonicus in Escherichia coli.

The crustacean molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) suppresses ecdysteroid synthesis by the Y-organ. The MIH of the kuruma prawn Penaeus japonicus has recently been isolated and its cDNA cloned. In this study, we expressed the MIH in Escherichia coli to obtain a large quantity of this hormone with biological activity. The MIH cDNA was processed and ligated into an expression plasmid. E. coli was transformed with this plasmid, and then the recombinant MIH (r-MIH) was expressed. The r-MIH was put through the refolding reaction and was purified by reverse-phase HPLC. N-terminal amino acid sequence and time-of-flight mass spectral analyses supported the idea that the r-MIH had the entire sequence. By in vitro bioassay using the Y-organ of the crayfish, the r-MIH was found to be comparable to natural MIH in inhibiting ecdysteroid synthesis.     

Expression of a Recombinant Molt-Inhibiting Hormone of the Kuruma Prawn Penaeus japonicus in Escherichia coli

The crustacean molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) suppresses ecdysteroid synthesis by the Y-organ. The MIH of the kuruma prawn Penaeus japonicus has recently been isolated and its cDNA cloned. In this study, we expressed the MIH in Escherichia coli to obtain a large quantity of this hormone with biological activity. The MIH cDNA was processed and ligated into an expression plasmid. E. coli was transformed with this plasmid, and then the recombinant MIH (r-MIH) was expressed. The r-MIH was put through the refolding reaction and was purified by reverse-phase HPLC. N-terminal amino acid sequence and time-of-flight mass spectral analyses supported the idea that the r-MIH had the entire sequence. By in vitro bioassay using the Y-organ of the crayfish, the r-MIH was found to be comparable to natural MIH in inhibiting ecdysteroid synthesis.     

Structure-activity relationship of crustacean molt-inhibiting hormone from the kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus

In crustaceans, molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) controls molting by suppressing the synthesis and/or secretion of molting hormone. In our previous study, which determined the solution structure of MIH by NMR, we hypothesized that the peptide's functional site spanned the region encompassing the N-terminal alpha-helix and a portion of the C-terminus, both of which are located sterically close to each other [Katayama et al. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 9620-9623]. To confirm this hypothesis, various mutants of MIH were prepared and their molt-inhibiting activities were assessed. All peptides mutated at the putative functional site exhibited circular dichroism spectra similar to the natural MIH, suggesting that the mutants retained their natural conformation regardless of the mutations. As expected, a majority of the mutants, except for Delta12 (a deletion mutant of Gly(12)) and Delta75-77 (a deletion mutant of the last three residues of the C-terminus), were less active than the natural MIH. In particular, I72G exhibited no molt-inhibiting activity even at 200 nM, while N13A and S71Y exhibited low activity at the same concentration. In contrast, the natural and recombinant MIHs exhibited full inhibitory activity at 20 nM. All these results indicate that the functional site of MIH is located in the region containing the C-terminal ends of the N- and C-terminal alpha-helices, and that Asn(13), Ser(71), and Ile(72) are especially significant for conferring molt-inhibiting activity. Furthermore, these findings agree with the results and the proposed hypothesis presented in previous studies on the structure-activity relationship of MIH and its related peptides.     

Characterization of a molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) of the crayfish, Orconectes limosus, by cDNA cloning and mass spectrometric analysis

The structure of the precursor of a molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) of the American crayfish, Orconectes limosus was determined by cloning of a cDNA based on RNA from the neurosecretory perikarya of the X-organ in the eyestalk ganglia. The open reading frame includes the complete precursor sequence, consisting of a signal peptide of 29, and the MIH sequence of 77 amino acids. In addition, the mature peptide was isolated by HPLC from the neurohemal sinus gland and analyzed by ESI-MS and MALDI-TOF-MS peptide mapping. This showed that the mature peptide (Mass 8664.29 Da) consists of only 75 amino acids, having Ala75-NH2 as C-terminus. Thus, C-terminal Arg77 of the precursor is removed during processing, and Gly76 serves as an amide donor. Sequence comparison confirms this peptide as a novel member of the large family, which includes crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone (CHH), MIH and gonad (vitellogenesis)-inhibiting hormone (GIH/VIH). The lack of a CPRP (CHH-precursor related peptide) in the hormone precursor, the size and specific sequence characteristics show that Orl MIH belongs to the MIH/GIH(VIH) subgroup of this larger family. Comparison with the MIH of Procambarus clarkii, the only other MIH that has thus far been identified in freshwater crayfish, shows extremely high sequence conservation. Both MIHs differ in only one amino acid residue ( approximately 99% identity), whereas the sequence identity to several other known MIHs is between 40 and 46%.     

Molecular and biological characterization of molt-inhibiting hormone of Penaeus monodon

The action of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) on the inhibition of ecdysone release from the Y-organ of decapod crustacean keeps the animal in the intermolt stage that dominates its molting cycle. MIH is thus one of the major keys in mediating growth and reproduction. This study has isolated cDNA encoding two types of MIH, Pem-MIH1 and Pem-MIH2, from the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon on the basis of sequence homology to MIH from two other shrimp species. The full-length cDNA of Pem-MIH1 was characterized. Pem-MIH1 cDNA harbored 318 bp open reading frame that coded for a translated product containing 28 amino acids of the signal peptide and a putative mature Pem-MIH of 77 amino acids. The recombinant Pem-MIH1 was expressed in Pichia pastoris as a secreted protein. After purification by gel filtration, the purified Pem-MIH1 exhibited the ability to extend molting duration of P. monodon from 11.8 days to 16.3 days suggesting that Pem-MIH1 be responsible for molt-inhibiting function in the shrimp. The attempt to clone Pem-MIH1 and Pem-MIH2 genes was achieved by direct PCR amplification and PCR-based genome walking strategy, respectively. The structure of both Pem-MIH genes, containing three exons interrupted by two introns, was similar to each other and also to that of MIH genes of other crustaceans reported so far. Expression study of Pem-MIH1 and Pem-MIH2 in various tissues of P. monodon revealed the difference in expression patterns. Pem-MIH1 expressed in both the eyestalk and the thoracic ganglia whilst Pem-MIH2 expression was limited to the eyestalk. The expression of MIH in non-eyestalk tissue may suggest additional role of this hormone.     

中华绒螯蟹蜕皮抑制激素基因的表达及抗体制备

蜕皮抑制激素(Moltinhibitinghormone,MIH)属于甲壳动物高血糖激素家族神经肽,对甲壳类的蜕皮起抑制作用。本研究用DNA重组技术将中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheirjaponicasinensis)的蜕皮抑制激素1(ErsMIH1)成熟肽的cDNA序列亚克隆至原核表达载体pET28a( )中,并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中进行高效表达。SDSPAGE检测结果显示,融合蛋白pET-MIH1的Mr约为12kD,与理论值相符。融合蛋白的表达量约占菌体总蛋白的15%,表达产物以包涵体形式存在。对包涵体进行变性、复性及纯化处理,并以8mol/L尿素溶解的包涵体作为免疫原免疫BALB/c小鼠制备多克隆抗体。ELISA和Westernblot的结果表明制备的抗体效价高、特异性强     

Bacterial expression of the shrimp molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH): antibody production, immunocytochemical study and biological assay

Molting in shrimp is controlled by the molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) and ecdysone. MIH inhibits the synthesis of ecdysone in the Y-organ, resulting in molt suppression; it is a neuropeptide member belonging to the eyestalk CHH/MIH/GIH family. The cloning of MIH (formerly MIH-like) of the shrimp Metapenaeus ensis has been reported in a previous study. To obtain a large quantity of fusion protein for antibody production and biological assay, the cDNA encoding the shrimp MIH was inserted into the pRSET bacterial expression vector. His-tagged fusion protein was produced and purified by an Ni2+-charged affinity column. Polyclonal antibody to rMIH was subsequently obtained by immunizing rabbits with purified recombinant proteins. Results from Western blot analysis indicated that the antibody was specific. Furthermore, results from immunocytochemical analysis showed that specific cells in three different clusters of the X-organ, the sinus gland and the axonal tract of the eyestalk contain MIH. To test for the molt-inhibiting activity of rMIH, shrimp at intermolt stage were injected with rMIH and the molt cycle duration of the injected shrimp was monitored. A significant increase in molt cycle duration was recorded for the shrimp injected with the recombinant protein.     

Uptake of high-density lipoprotein by Y-organs of the crab,cancer antennarius. II. formal characterization of receptor-mediation with isolated membranes

Y-organs are the ecdysial glands of crustaceans, responsible for synthesis and secretion of ecdysteroid hormones. For this purpose, the glands acquire cholesterol as obligate precursor entirely from circulating high-density lipoprotein (HDL). A preceding study provided evidence for the mechanism of acquisition: Y-organs take up cholesterol bound to HDL by an energy-requiring process, receptor-mediated absorptive endocytosis. The present study characterized the receptors involved utilizing isolated Y-organ membranes. HDL binding was saturable and specific; a dissociation constant (K_d) of 1.08 × 10^?7 M and a binding maximum at equilibrium (B_max) of 70 μg HDL protein/mg membrane protein, were obtained. Binding was decreased by protease and was dependent upon calcium. Y-organs are regulated negatively by a peptide hormone from the eystalks, molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH). Y-organ membranes from de-eyestalked crabs (MIH absent) exhibited the same K_d value as membranes from intact crabs, but a B_max 17% higher. Thus, MIH activity apparently does not change the binding affinity of HDL, but decreases the number of binding sites. These results agree with our previous findings that MIH depresses ecdysteroid synthesis in part by inhibiting cholesterol uptake. Generally, Y-organ cells appear to contain receptors for HDL that are of high affinity and high binding capacity, similar to the characteristics reported for the binding of insect HDL (vitellogenin) to fat bodies and oocytes. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Signaling Pathways for Ecdysteroid Hormone Synthesis in Crustacean Y-organs

The Y-organs of crustaceans secrete steroid hormones (ecdysteroids)which are responsible for molting and regeneration. The Y-organsin turn are controlled (negatively) by the eyestalk peptide,molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH). We are exploring the signalingpaths in Y-organ cells that lead to ecdysteroid generation whenactivated by the absence of MIH. The objective is to understandthe connections between MIH-receptor occupancy and the depressionof genes that express ecdysteroidogenic enzymes. MIH actionis mediated by a rise in cyclic 5' adenosine monophosphate (cAMP);cGMP also is involved in some species. That a cyclic nucleotideis a central regulatory component is indicated by the followingselection of results: dibutyryl cAMP, activators of adenylylcyclase or inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesteraseeach mimic the inhibitory action of MIH. Cyclic AMP inhibitsthe receptor-mediated uptake of cholesterol (the obligate ecdysteroidprecursor), by decreasing the number of receptor sites for thelipoprotein carrier of cholesterol. MIH via cAMP also depressesde novo protein synthesis upon which ecdysteroidogenesis dependsin part. A role for cellular free calcium (Ca⁺⁺) is indicatedby the ability of Ca⁺⁺ (or a Ca⁺⁺ionophore) to stimulate ecdysteroidproduction,thereby antagonizing MIH action. The mechanism involvesloweringcAMP levels by enhancing phosphodiesterase activity via calmodulin,not by affecting adenylate cyclase activity. Ca⁺⁺ counters thesuppressive action of MIH or cAMP on protein synthesis. Consistentwith the MIH-Ca⁺⁺ mutual antagonism, MIH increases Ca⁺⁺ effluxfrom ⁴⁵Ca-preloaded cells. Y-Organ cells contain protein kinaseC (PKC), the activation of which increases ecdysteroid production.PKC activity is not affected by MIH, but is stimulated by Ca⁺⁺.These and related experiments indicate that the PKC-activatedincrease in ecdysteroidogenesis involves events downstream fromthe production of cAMP and the degradation of cAMP by Ca⁺⁺.In relation to the latter, specific and non-specific inhibitorsof protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) inhibit ecdysteroid synthesisdose-dependently. The relationship of PTK with MIH-cAMP andCa⁺⁺-PKC systems is under study.     

Expression of Biologically Active Crustacean Hyperglycemic Hormone (CHH) of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus monodon</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis>

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), and gonad-inhibiting hormone (GIH) are members of a major peptide family produced from the X-organ sinus gland complex in the eyestalk of crustaceans. This peptide family plays important roles in controlling several physiologic processes such as regulation of growth and reproduction. In this study the complementary DNA encoding a peptide related to the CHH/MIH/GIH family (so-called Pem-CMG) of the black tiger prawn Penaeus monodon was successfully expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris under the control of the AOX1 promoter. The recombinant Pem-CMG was secreted into the culture medium using the -factor signal sequence; of Saccharomyces cerevisiae without the Glu-Ala-Glu-Ala spacer peptide. The amino terminus of the recombinant Pem-CMG was correctly processed as evidenced by amino-terminal peptide sequencing. The recombinant Pem-CMG was purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromotography and used in a biological assay for CHH activity. The final yield of the recombinant Pem-CMG after purification was 260 µg/L of the culture medium. Both crude and purified recombinant Pem-CMG produced from P. pastoris showed the ability to elevate the glucose level in the hemolymph of eyestalk-ablated P. monodon, which demonstrates that Pem-CMG peptide functions as hyperglycemic hormone in P. monodon.     

Structural prediction and analysis of VIH-related peptides from selected crustacean species

The tentative elucidation of the 3D-structure of vitellogenesis inhibiting hormone (VIH) peptides is conversely underprivileged by difficulties in gaining enough peptide or protein, diffracting crystals, and numerous extra technical aspects. As a result, no structural information is available for VIH peptide sequences registered in the Genbank. In this situation, it is not surprising that predictive methods have achieved great interest. Here, in this study the molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) of the kuruma prawn (Marsupenaeus japonicus) is used, to predict the structure of four VIHrelated peptides in the crustacean species. The high similarity of the 3D-structures and the calculated physiochemical characteristics of these peptides suggest a common fold for the entire family.     

Crustacean molt-inhibiting hormone: Structure,function, and cellular mode of action

In Crustacea, secretion of ecdysteroid molting hormones by Y-organs is regulated, at least in part, by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), a polypeptide neurohormone produced by neurosecretory cells of the eyestalks. This article reviews current knowledge of MIH, with particular emphasis on recent findings regarding the (a) structure of the MIH peptide and gene, (b) levels of MIH in eyestalks and hemolymph, (c) cellular mechanism of action of MIH, and (d) responsiveness of Y-organs to MIH. At least 26 MIH/MIH-like sequences have been directly determined by protein sequencing or deduced from cloned cDNA. Recent studies reveal the existence of multiple forms of MIH/MIH-like molecules among penaeids and raise the possibility that molecular polymorphism may exist more generally among MIH (type II) peptides. The hemolymphatic MIH titer has been determined for two species, a crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and a crab (Carcinus maenas). The data are dissimilar and additional studies are needed. Composite data indicate cellular signaling pathways involving cGMP, cAMP, or both may play a role in MIH-induced suppression of ecdysteroidogenesis. Data from the two species studied in our laboratories (P. clarkii and Callinectes sapidus) strongly favor cGMP as the physiologically relevant second messenger. Ligand-binding studies show an MIH receptor exists in Y-organ plasma membranes, but the MIH receptor has not been isolated or fully characterized for any species. Such studies are critical to understanding the cellular mechanism by which MIH regulates ecdysteroidogenesis. Rates of ecdysteroid synthesis appear also to be influenced by stage-specific changes in the responsiveness of Y-organs to MIH. The changes in responsiveness result, at least in part, from changes in glandular phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. The PDE isotype (PDE1) present in Y-organs of C. sapidus is calcium/calmodulin dependent. Thus, calcium may regulate ecdysteroidogenesis through activation of glandular PDE.     

Antipeptide antibodies for detecting crab (Callinectes sapidus) molt-inhibiting hormone

In crustaceans, the synthesis of ecdysteroid molting hormones is regulated by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), a neuropeptide produced by an eyestalk neuroendocrine system, the X-organ/sinus gland complex. Using sequence analysis software, two regions of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) MIH peptide were selected for antibody production. Two 14-mer peptides were commercially synthesized and used to generate polyclonal antisera. Western blot analysis revealed that each antiserum bound to proteins of the predicted size in extracts of C. sapidus sinus glands, and lysates of insect cells containing recombinant MIH. Thin section immunocytochemistry using either antiserum showed specific immunoreactivity in X-organ neurosecretory cell bodies, their associated axons and collaterals, and their axon terminals in the sinus gland.     

Characterization of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) action on crustacean Y-organ segments and dispersed cells in culture and a bioassay for MIH activity

Ecdysteroid secretion in vitro by gland quarters and dispersed cells of ecdysial glands (Y-organs) of the crab, Cancer antennarius Stimpson, was characterized. Optimum culture conditions are reported for maximum, sustained (72 hr) secretion and maintenance of cell viability in activated Y-organs obtained from de-eyestalked donors. Addition in vitro of eyestalk ganglia extracts containing the putative molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) inhibited ecdysteroid production dose-dependently in the range of 0.1-4.0 and 0.01-4.0 eyestalk equivalents of MIH for gland quarters and dispersed cells, respectively. Inhibition by MIH was reversible, tissue specific as to source of MIH activity, and did not affect cell viability relative to controls. The results of replicate incubations of gland quarters with MIH were analyzed with formal statistics of parallel-line assay. The inhibitory action on ecdysteroid secretion is shown to be reproducibly linear and parallel in the dosage range, 0.1-4.0 eyestalk equivalents, amenable to calculation of relative potency among successive extracts, and of sufficiently high precision to serve as an MIH bioassay. Also, the results of these studies support the hypothesis that control of Y-organs by the eyestalks is physiologically direct.