Related Experiment Videos
Sequence of a cDNA encoding chicken vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)
D R McFarlin1, D A Lehn, S M Moran
1Department of Anatomy, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53706, USA.
Gene
|March 10, 1995
Summary
Researchers sequenced chicken vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) precursor cDNA. Unlike mammals, the chicken precursor lacks a signal for peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHI) production, suggesting unique processing in birds.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Comparative genomics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHI) are neuropeptides derived from a common precursor, pre-proVIP, in mammals.
- Understanding the evolutionary conservation and divergence of neuropeptide processing is crucial for neurobiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone and sequence the cDNA encoding chicken VIP.
- To investigate potential differences in pre-proVIP processing between avian and mammalian species.
Main Methods:
- cDNA cloning and sequencing of the chicken pre-proVIP gene.
- Bioinformatic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence and comparison with mammalian counterparts.
Main Results:
- The cDNA encoding chicken VIP was successfully cloned and sequenced.
- The region homologous to the mammalian PHI sequence in chicken pre-proVIP lacks a downstream amidation signal.
- This suggests a divergence in post-translational processing pathways for this neuropeptide precursor in birds.
Conclusions:
- Chicken pre-proVIP processing likely differs from that of mammals due to the absence of a PHI-generating signal.
- This finding provides insights into the evolutionary plasticity of neuropeptide precursor processing.