biostudies-literatureUnknown9(1)Bloom MCanadian Network for Research and Innovation in Machining Technology, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of CanadaThe 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 systScientific reports13437https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6748952biostudies-literatureIdentification, Functional Characterization, and Pharmacological Analysis of Two Sulfakinin Receptors in the Medically-Important Insect Rhodnius prolixus.PMC6748952Orchard IBloom MLange ABfalseIdentification, Functional Characterization, and Pharmacological Analysis of Two Sulfakinin Receptors in the Medically-Important Insect Rhodnius prolixus.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 syst2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Sep2026-05-07T12:35:32.435Z2019-10-11T07:06:35ZS-EPMC67489523153085410.1038/s41598-019-49790-x