Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Leuven, Belgium.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2010 Oct;67(20):3511-22. doi: 10.1007/s00018-010-0393-8. Epub 2010 May 11.
Male insects change behaviors of female partners by co-transferring accessory gland proteins (Acps) like sex peptide (SP), with their sperm. The Drosophila sex peptide receptor (SPR) is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in the female's nervous system and genital tract. While most Acps show a fast rate of evolution, SPRs are highly conserved in insects. We report activation of SPRs by evolutionary conserved myoinhibiting peptides (MIPs). Structural determinants in SP and MIPs responsible for this dual receptor activation are characterized. Drosophila SPR is also expressed in embryonic and larval stages and in the adult male nervous system, whereas SP expression is restricted to the male reproductive system. MIP transcripts occur in male and female central nervous system, possibly acting as endogenous SPR ligands. Evolutionary consequences of the promiscuous nature of SPRs are discussed. MIPs likely function as ancestral ligands of SPRs and could place evolutionary constraints on the MIP/SPR class.
雄性昆虫通过与精子一起传递附属腺蛋白（Acps），如性肽（SP），来改变雌性伴侣的行为。果蝇性肽受体（SPR）是一种在雌性神经系统和生殖道中表达的 G 蛋白偶联受体。虽然大多数 Acps 表现出快速的进化速度，但 SPR 在昆虫中高度保守。我们报告了由进化保守的肌抑制肽（MIPs）激活 SPR。描述了 SP 和 MIP 中负责这种双重受体激活的结构决定因素。果蝇 SPR 也在胚胎和幼虫阶段以及成年雄性神经系统中表达，而 SP 表达仅限于雄性生殖系统。MIP 转录本存在于雄性和雌性中枢神经系统中，可能作为内源性 SPR 配体发挥作用。讨论了 SPR 混杂性质的进化后果。MIP 可能作为 SPR 的祖先配体发挥作用，并可能对 MIP/SPR 类施加进化限制。
