Identification of SepCRP analogues in the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis: a novel family of ovarian regulatory peptides

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Dec 16;338(2):1037-47. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.10.034. Epub 2005 Oct 18.

Abstract

In the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, the ovary appears to be one of the main sources of regulatory peptides involved in the successive steps of egg-laying. Following the identification of the SepCRP-1, which is a peptide extracted from ovary and involved in egg capsule secretion, investigations were focused on the identification of related peptides. Seven related-Sepia Capsule Releasing Peptides (R-SepCRPs) were identified by means of mass spectrometry and characterized using MS/MS spectra and/or Edman degradation. Finally, primary structures were verified by the comparison of MS/MS spectra from endogenic and synthetic peptides. This new ovarian peptide family exhibits a conserved SLXKD tag involved in the biological activity. LC-MS/MS screening clearly demonstrates that R-SepCRPs are restricted to the female genital tract. Expressed during vitellogenesis, they are released by vitellogenic follicles and full-grown oocytes (FGO) in the genital coelom. Biological activities suggest that R-SepCRPs would be responsible for the storage of FGO before mating and would take part in the mechanical secretion of egg capsule products, as previously described for SepCRP-1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Female
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / analysis
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / chemistry*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oocytes / metabolism*
  • Organ Specificity
  • Ovary / metabolism*
  • Oviposition / physiology*
  • Sepia / metabolism*
  • Sequence Analysis, Protein*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins