Leitz T, Morand K, Mann M
Zoologisches Institut der Universität, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Dev Biol. 1994 Jun;163(2):440-6. doi: 10.1006/dbio.1994.1160.
Animal development depends on cell communication by signals. We have investigated the role of signals and of signal transduction in the development of the marine hydroid Hydractinia echinata. The larvae undergo metamorphosis in response to a chemical signal provided by environmental bacteria. Metamorphosis can be induced by a variety of different compounds interfering with biochemical signal transduction pathways. Sectioned posterior parts cannot be induced by most compounds known to induce whole larvae to metamorphose. We identified a novel peptide, pGlu-Gln-Pro-Gly-Leu-TrpNH2 ("metamorphosin A"), which induces isolated posterior parts to undergo metamorphosis and hence reactivates pattern formation, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis. We suggest this peptide to be part of an internal signaling system involved in control of metamorphosis.
动物的发育依赖于信号介导的细胞通讯。我们研究了信号及信号转导在海洋水螅虫类——棘刺真枝螅发育过程中的作用。幼虫会响应环境细菌提供的化学信号而发生变态。多种干扰生化信号转导途径的不同化合物均可诱导变态。已知能诱导完整幼虫变态的大多数化合物无法诱导幼虫的后部切片发生变态。我们鉴定出一种新型肽，即pGlu-Gln-Pro-Gly-Leu-TrpNH2（“变态素A”），它能诱导分离的幼虫后部发生变态，从而重新激活模式形成、细胞增殖、细胞分化和形态发生。我们认为这种肽是参与变态控制的内部信号系统的一部分。
