Cloning of precursors for two MIH/VIH-related peptides in the prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Two cDNA clones (634 and 1366 bp) encoding MIH/VIH (molt-inhibiting hormone /vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone)-related peptides were isolated and sequ enced from a Macrobrachium rosenbergii eyestalk ganglia cDNA library. The c lones contain a 360 and 339 bp open-reading frame, and their conceptually t ranslated peptides consist of a 41 and 34 amino acid signal peptide, respec tively, and a 78 amino acid residue mature peptide hormone. The amino acid sequences of the peptides exhibit higher identities with other known MIHs a nd VIH (44-69%) than with CHHs (28-33%). This is the first report describin g the cloning and sequencing of two MIH/VIH-related peptides in a single cr ustacean species. Transcription of these mRNAs was detected in the eyestalk ganglia, but not in the thoracic ganglia, hepatopancreas, gut, gill, heart , or muscle. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science.