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Evolution of GnRH: diving deeper.

Graeme J Roch¹, Ellen R Busby, Nancy M Sherwood

¹Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 3N5.

General and Comparative Endocrinology

|December 28, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The study reveals that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-like peptides and receptors exist in invertebrates, suggesting deep evolutionary origins. These findings point to a neuropeptide superfamily including GnRH, corazonin, and adipokinetic hormone (AKH).

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Neuroendocrinology
Comparative genomics

Background:

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is crucial for vertebrate reproduction.
The evolutionary history of GnRH and its receptor is unclear.
Genomic analysis offers new insights into GnRH's ancestral relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolutionary origins of GnRH and its receptor.
To identify GnRH-like peptides and receptors in invertebrates.
To determine the phylogenetic relationships between GnRH, corazonin, adipokinetic hormone (AKH), and vasopressin/oxytocin receptor families.

Main Methods:

Identification of novel peptide sequences in invertebrates.
Structural comparison of invertebrate and vertebrate GnRH peptides.
Large-scale phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood to study receptor relationships.
Examination of published sequences and unpublished gene model predictions.

Main Results:

GnRH-like peptides (10-12 amino acids) and receptors are found in invertebrates from annelids to tunicates.
Structural conservation indicates homology between invertebrate and vertebrate GnRHs.
Phylogenetic analysis supports a superfamily including GnRH, AKH, and corazonin receptors, with shared ancestry with vasopressin/oxytocin receptors.
The data suggest a functioning pituitary arose from genomic duplications in early vertebrates.

Conclusions:

GnRH and its receptor have ancient origins, dating back to bilaterian animals.
GnRH, corazonin, and AKH likely belong to a neuropeptide superfamily.
The evolution of the pituitary is linked to genomic duplications in early vertebrates.