Identification, Functional Characterization, and Pharmacological Analysis of Two Sulfakinin Receptors in the Medically-Important Insect Rhodnius prolixus.

ABSTRACT: The chordate gastrin/cholecystokinin and ecdysozoan sulfakinin (SK)-signaling systems are functionally and structurally homologous. In the present study, we isolated the cDNA sequences encoding the SK receptors in Rhodnius prolixus (Rhopr-SKR-1 and Rhopr-SKR-2). The Rhopr-SKRs have been functionally characterized and their intracellular signaling pathways analysed via a functional receptor assay. Both Rhopr-SKRs are exclusively activated via the two native R. prolixus sulfakinins, Rhopr-SK-1 and Rhopr-SK-2, but not via nonsulfated Rhopr-SK-1. The Rhopr-SKRs are each linked to the intracellular Ca²⁺ second messenger pathway, and not to the cyclic AMP pathway. Spatial transcript expression analyses revealed that each Rhopr-SKR is predominantly expressed in the central nervous syst

SUBMITTER: Bloom M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6748952 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature