Characterization of a tachykinin signalling system in the bivalve mollusc Crassostrea gigas

• Published in: General and Comparative Endocrinology
• Main Authors: Dubos, Marie-Pierre, Zels, Sven, Schwartz, Julie, Pasquier, Jeremy, Schoofs, Liliane, Favrel, Pascal
• Other Authors: Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), Université de Caen Normandie (UNICAEN), Normandie Université (NU)-Normandie Université (NU)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université des Antilles (UA), Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, ANR-14-CE02-0020,NEMO,Neuropeptides d'organismes marins(2014)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2018
• Subjects: Mollusc; neuropeptide; Tachykinin signalling; feeding; [SDV.BID]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biodiversity; Crassostrea gigas
• Online Access: https://hal.sorbonne-universite.fr/hal-01838268; https://hal.sorbonne-universite.fr/hal-01838268/document; https://hal.sorbonne-universite.fr/hal-01838268/file/Oyster%20TK%20signalling%20HAL.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.05.003

International audience Although tachykinin-like neuropeptides have been identified in molluscs more than two decades ago, knowledge on their function and signalling has so far remained largely elusive. We developed a cell-based assay to address the functionality of the tachykinin G-protein coupled receptor (Cragi-TKR) in the oyster Crassostrea gigas. The oyster tachykinin neuropeptides that are derived from the tachykinin precursor gene Cragi-TK activate the Cragi-TKR in nanomolar concentrations. Receptor activation is sensitive to Ala-substitution of critical Cragi-TK amino acid residues. The Cragi-TKR gene is expressed in a variety of tissues, albeit at higher levels in the visceral ganglia (VG) of the nervous system. Fluctuations of Cragi-TKR expression is in line with a role for TK signalling in C. gigas reproduction. The expression level of the Cragi-TK gene in the VG depends on the nutritional status of the oyster, suggesting a role for TK signalling in the complex regulation of feeding in C. gigas.