A single gene encodes multiple neuropeptides mediating a stereotyped behavior |
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Authors: | R H Scheller J F Jackson L B McAllister B S Rothman E Mayeri R Axel |
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Institution: | 1. Institute of Cancer Research Center for Neurobiology and Behavior Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons 701 West 168th Street New York, New York 10032 USA;2. Department of Physiology University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, California 94143 USA |
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Abstract: | Egg laying in Aplysia is characterized by a stereotyped behavioral array which is mediated by several neuroactive peptides. We have sequenced two genes encoding the A and B peptides thought to initiate the egg-laying process, as well as a gene encoding egg-laying hormone (ELH) which directly mediates the behavioral array. The three genes share 90% sequence homology and are representatives of a small multigene family. Each gene encodes a protein precursor in which the active peptides are flanked by internal cleavage sites providing the potential to generate multiple small peptides. Each of the three genes consists of sequences homologous to A or B peptide as well as ELH. Although these genes share significant nucleotide homology, they have diverged such that different member genes express functionally related but nonoverlapping sets of neuroactive peptides in different tissues. |
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Keywords: | Present address: School of Medicine Stanford University Stanford California 94305 |
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