Global identification of bursicon-regulated genes in <it>Drosophila melanogaster</it>

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bursicon is a heterodimer neuropeptide responsible for regulating cuticle sclerotization and wing expansion in several insect species. Recent studies indicate that the action of bursicon is mediated by a specific G protein-coupled re...

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Main Authors: Beerntsen Brenda, Gilbert Lawrence I, Wang Songjie, An Shiheng, Ellersieck Mark, Song Qisheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2008-09-01
Series:BMC Genomics
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/9/424
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author Beerntsen Brenda
Gilbert Lawrence I
Wang Songjie
An Shiheng
Ellersieck Mark
Song Qisheng
author_facet Beerntsen Brenda
Gilbert Lawrence I
Wang Songjie
An Shiheng
Ellersieck Mark
Song Qisheng
author_sort Beerntsen Brenda
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bursicon is a heterodimer neuropeptide responsible for regulating cuticle sclerotization and wing expansion in several insect species. Recent studies indicate that the action of bursicon is mediated by a specific G protein-coupled receptor DLGR2 and the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. However, little is known regarding the genes that are regulated by bursicon. The identification of bursicon-regulated genes is the focus of this investigation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We used DNA microarray analysis to identify bursicon-regulated genes in neck-ligated flies (<it>Drosophila melanogaster) </it>that received recombinant bursicon (r-bursicon). Fifty four genes were found to be regulated by bursicon 1 h post r-bursicon injection, 52 being up-regulated and 2 down-regulated while 33 genes were influenced by r-bursicon 3 h post-injection (24 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated genes). Analysis of these genes by inference from the fly database <url>http://flybase.bio.indiana.edu</url> revealed that these genes encode proteins with diverse functions, including cell signaling, gene transcription, DNA/RNA binding, ion trafficking, proteolysis-peptidolysis, metabolism, cytoskeleton formation, immune response and cell-adhesion. Twenty eight genes randomly selected from the microarray-identified list were verified by real time PCR (qPCR) which supported the microarray data. Temporal response studies of 13 identified and verified genes by qPCR revealed that the temporal expression patterns of these genes are consistent with the microarray data.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Using r-bursicon, we identified 87 genes that are regulated by bursicon, 30 of which have no previously known function. Most importantly, all genes randomly selected from the microarray-identified list were verified by real time PCR. Temporal analysis of 13 verified genes revealed that the expression of these genes was indeed induced by bursicon and correlated well with the cuticle sclerotization process. The composite data suggest that these genes play important roles in regulating the cuticle sclerotization and wing expansion processes. The data obtained here will form the basis for future studies aimed at elucidating the exact mechanisms upstream from the secretion of bursicon and its binding to target cells.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-b87e5958985c4f1a9468cc99c17580eb2022-12-21T21:05:10ZengBMCBMC Genomics1471-21642008-09-019142410.1186/1471-2164-9-424Global identification of bursicon-regulated genes in <it>Drosophila melanogaster</it>Beerntsen BrendaGilbert Lawrence IWang SongjieAn ShihengEllersieck MarkSong Qisheng<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bursicon is a heterodimer neuropeptide responsible for regulating cuticle sclerotization and wing expansion in several insect species. Recent studies indicate that the action of bursicon is mediated by a specific G protein-coupled receptor DLGR2 and the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. However, little is known regarding the genes that are regulated by bursicon. The identification of bursicon-regulated genes is the focus of this investigation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We used DNA microarray analysis to identify bursicon-regulated genes in neck-ligated flies (<it>Drosophila melanogaster) </it>that received recombinant bursicon (r-bursicon). Fifty four genes were found to be regulated by bursicon 1 h post r-bursicon injection, 52 being up-regulated and 2 down-regulated while 33 genes were influenced by r-bursicon 3 h post-injection (24 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated genes). Analysis of these genes by inference from the fly database <url>http://flybase.bio.indiana.edu</url> revealed that these genes encode proteins with diverse functions, including cell signaling, gene transcription, DNA/RNA binding, ion trafficking, proteolysis-peptidolysis, metabolism, cytoskeleton formation, immune response and cell-adhesion. Twenty eight genes randomly selected from the microarray-identified list were verified by real time PCR (qPCR) which supported the microarray data. Temporal response studies of 13 identified and verified genes by qPCR revealed that the temporal expression patterns of these genes are consistent with the microarray data.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Using r-bursicon, we identified 87 genes that are regulated by bursicon, 30 of which have no previously known function. Most importantly, all genes randomly selected from the microarray-identified list were verified by real time PCR. Temporal analysis of 13 verified genes revealed that the expression of these genes was indeed induced by bursicon and correlated well with the cuticle sclerotization process. The composite data suggest that these genes play important roles in regulating the cuticle sclerotization and wing expansion processes. The data obtained here will form the basis for future studies aimed at elucidating the exact mechanisms upstream from the secretion of bursicon and its binding to target cells.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/9/424
spellingShingle Beerntsen Brenda
Gilbert Lawrence I
Wang Songjie
An Shiheng
Ellersieck Mark
Song Qisheng
Global identification of bursicon-regulated genes in <it>Drosophila melanogaster</it>
BMC Genomics
title Global identification of bursicon-regulated genes in <it>Drosophila melanogaster</it>
title_full Global identification of bursicon-regulated genes in <it>Drosophila melanogaster</it>
title_fullStr Global identification of bursicon-regulated genes in <it>Drosophila melanogaster</it>
title_full_unstemmed Global identification of bursicon-regulated genes in <it>Drosophila melanogaster</it>
title_short Global identification of bursicon-regulated genes in <it>Drosophila melanogaster</it>
title_sort global identification of bursicon regulated genes in it drosophila melanogaster it
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/9/424
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