THE STRUCTURE AND EXPRESSION OF A PREPROHORMONE OF A NEUROPEPTIDE, HYM-176 IN HYDRA-MAGNIPAPILLATA

Hym-176 (APFIFPGPKVamide) is a novel myoactive neuropeptide which was identified in systematic screening of signaling peptides in Hydra magn ipapillata. By using PCR and library screening, we cloned and sequence d a full length cDNA which encoded a preprohormone of Hym-176. In the preprohormone, a typical signal sequence, one copy of Hym-176 precurso r peptide and one copy of precursor sequence of another novel peptide, Hym-357 (KPAFLFKGYKPamide), were detected, In situ hybridization anal ysis revealed a strong signal in peduncle neurons, Signals mere also d etected, though weaker, in neurons in the gastric region and around th e mouth. No signals were detected in the two extremities of the body, tentacles and basal disk. The expression pattern is correlated with th e distribution of Hym-176 and its myoactive function. (C) 1998 Federat ion of European Biochemical Societies.