Cholecystokinin/sulfakinin peptide signaling: conserved roles at the intersection between feeding, mating and aggression

Evolutionary conserved peptide and glycoprotein hormone-like neuroendocrine systems in C. elegans

Peptides and protein hormones form the largest group of secreted signals that mediate intercellular communication and are central regulators of physiology and behavior in all animals. Phylogenetic analyses and biochemical identifications of peptide-receptor systems reveal a broad evolutionary conservation of these signaling systems at the molecular level. Substantial progress has been made in recent years on characterizing the physiological and putative ancestral roles of many peptide systems through comparative studies in invertebrate models. Several peptides and protein hormones are not only molecularly conserved but also have conserved roles across animal phyla. Here, we focus on functional insights gained in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that, with its compact and well-described nervous system, provides a powerful model to dissect neuroendocrine signaling networks involved in the control of physiology and behavior. We summarize recent discoveries on the evolutionary conservation and knowledge on the functions of peptide and protein hormone systems in C. elegans.

Distribution of cionin, a cholecystokinin/gastrin family peptide, and its receptor in the central nervous system of Ciona intestinalis type A

The cholecystokinin (CCK)/gastrin family peptides are involved in regulation of feeding and digestion in vertebrates. In the ascidian Ciona intestinalis type A (Ciona robusta), cionin, a CCK/gastrin family peptide, has been identified. Cionin is expressed exclusively in the central nervous system (CNS). In contrast, cionin receptor expression has been detected in the CNS, digestive tract, and ovary. Although cionin has been reported to be involved in ovulation, its physiological function in the CNS remains to be investigated. To elucidate its neural function, in the present study, we analyzed the expression of cionin and cionin receptors in the CNS. Cionin was expressed mainly in neurons residing in the anterior region of the cerebral ganglion. In contrast, the gene expressin of the cionin receptor gene CioR1, was detected in the middle part of the cerebral ganglion and showed a similar expression pattern to that of VACHT, a cholinergic neuron marker gene. Moreover, CioR1 was found to be expressed in cholinergic neurons. Consequently, these results suggest that cionin interacts with cholinergic neurons as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator via CioR1. This study provides insights into a biological role of a CCK/gastrin family peptide in the CNS of ascidians.

The neuropeptide drosulfakinin enhances choosiness and protects males from the aging effects of social perception

The motivation to reproduce is a potent natural drive, and the social behaviors that induce it can severely impact animal health and lifespan. Indeed, in Drosophila males, accelerated aging associated with reproduction arises not from the physical act of courtship or copulation but instead from the motivational drive to court and mate. To better understand the mechanisms underlying social effects on aging, we studied male choosiness for mates. We found that increased activity of insulin-producing cells (IPCs) of the fly brain potentiated choosiness without consistently affecting courtship activity. Surprisingly, this effect was not caused by insulins themselves, but instead by drosulfakinin (DSK), another neuropeptide produced in a subset of the IPCs, acting through one of the two DSK receptors, CCKLR-17D1. Activation of Dsk+ IPC neurons also decreased food consumption, while activation of Dsk+ neurons outside of IPCs affected neither choosiness nor feeding, suggesting an overlap between Dsk+neurons modulating choosiness and those influencing satiety. Broader activation of Dsk+ neurons (both within and outside of the IPCs) was required to rescue the detrimental effect of female pheromone exposure on male lifespan, as was the function of both DSK receptors. The same broad set of Dsk+ neurons was found to reinforce normally aversive feeding interactions, but only after exposure to female pheromones, suggesting that perception of the opposite sex gates rewarding properties of these neurons. We speculate that broad Dsk+ neuron activation is associated with states of satiety and social experience, which under stressful conditions is rewarding and beneficial for lifespan.

Identification of CYCLE targets that contribute diverse features of circadian rhythms in the mosquito Culex pipiens

Culex pipiens demonstrates robust circadian rhythms in adult eclosion, flight activity, mating, and development. These rhythmic patterns are believed to be controlled by the endogenous light-entrainable circadian clock that consists of positive and negative regulators working in a transcription-translation feedback loop. Moreover, these mosquitoes undergo seasonal diapause in exposure to the short photoperiod of late summer or early fall. However, the exact genetic and cellular mechanism behind the clock gene-mediated activity pattern, seasonal time measurement, and subsequent diapause initiation still need to be unraveled. To determine the possible linkage between clock genes and downstream processes, here we employed ChIP-sequencing to identify the direct targets of one of the core clock proteins, Cycle (CYC). The nearest genes with peaks mapping to their 1Kb upstream region of the transcription start site were extracted and scanned for consensus E box sequences, resulting in a dataset comprising the target genes possibly regulated by CYC. Based on the highest fold enrichment and functional relevance, we identified genes relating to five gene categories of potential interest, including peptide/receptors, neurotransmission, olfaction, immunity, and reproductive growth. Of these, we validated fourteen genes with ChIP-qPCR and qRT-PCR. These genes showed a significantly high expression in dusk compared to dawn in concert with the activity level of the CYC transcription factor and are thus strong candidates for mediating circadian rhythmicity and possibly regulating seasonal shifts in mosquito reproductive activity.

Characterizing the specific mechanism of series processed Coptidis Rhizoma by multi-organ metabolomics combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND

After being processed with different excipients, the clinical application of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) is differentially investigated. However, the underlying mechanism and material basis are not clear, and there is a lack of attention to the collaborative working mode of herbal medicine during exploration.

PURPOSE

To characterize the specific mechanism of wine/zingiberis rhizoma recens/euodiae fructus processed CR (wCR/zCR/eCR) and to investigate the role of excipients during processing.

METHODS

The multi-organ metabolomics approach was employed to explore the target organs of wCR/zCR/eCR and multiple pathways being triggered in each organ. The tissue distribution of CR and wCR/zCR/eCR components was compared to indicate the material basis of efficacy change after processing. Further, the network pharmacology study coupled with experimental validation was conducted to support metabolomic research and predicted active ingredients and core targets, and the molecular docking coupled with binding test was performed to identify the binding between active ingredient and core target.

RESULTS

The multi-organ metabolomics and network pharmacology study elucidated the intervening effect of wCR on heart/lung, zCR on stomach/colon, and eCR on liver/colon/stomach. Combined with molecular docking, binding test and tissue distribution studies, the specific mechanism was as follows: the wine made iso-quinoline alkaloids in CR more likely to accumulate in heart/lung, thus triggering the core targets of PTGS2, NOS2, ESR1 and SLC6A4 in heart/lung, and thereby highlighting the detoxifying and cardiopulmonary protective effect of wCR. The zingiberis rhizoma recens and euodiae fructus made organic acids in CR more likely to accumulate in stomach/colon and liver/colon/stomach respectively, thus triggering the core targets of ACTB, TNF and PRKCA in stomach/colon, the core targets of ACTB, TNF, PRKCA and GPT in stomach/colon/liver, and thereby highlighting the improving effect of zCR/eCR on digestive function.

CONCLUSION

Iso-quinoline alkaloids were the material basis of CR for anti-inflammation, and organic acids were mainly responsible for regulating gastrointestinal function. Due to the influence of excipients on the accumulation tendency of CR components, the differentially highlighted application of wCR/zCR/eCR was achieved. These findings propose a novel strategy for processing mechanism research.

Dietary cysteine drives body fat loss via FMRFamide signaling in Drosophila and mouse

Obesity imposes a global health threat and calls for safe and effective therapeutic options. Here, we found that protein-rich diet significantly reduced body fat storage in fruit flies, which was largely attributed to dietary cysteine intake. Mechanistically, dietary cysteine increased the production of a neuropeptide FMRFamide (FMRFa). Enhanced FMRFa activity simultaneously promoted energy expenditure and suppressed food intake through its cognate receptor (FMRFaR), both contributing to the fat loss effect. In the fat body, FMRFa signaling promoted lipolysis by increasing PKA and lipase activity. In sweet-sensing gustatory neurons, FMRFa signaling suppressed appetitive perception and hence food intake. We also demonstrated that dietary cysteine worked in a similar way in mice via neuropeptide FF (NPFF) signaling, a mammalian RFamide peptide. In addition, dietary cysteine or FMRFa/NPFF administration provided protective effect against metabolic stress in flies and mice without behavioral abnormalities. Therefore, our study reveals a novel target for the development of safe and effective therapies against obesity and related metabolic diseases.

The gut odorant receptor and taste receptor make sense of dietary components: A focus on gut hormone secretion

Odorant receptors (ORs) and taste receptors (TRs) are expressed primarily in the nose and tongue in which they transduce electrical signals to the brain. Advances in deciphering the dietary component-sensing mechanisms in the nose and tongue prompted research on the role of gut chemosensory cells. Acting as the pivotal interface between the body and dietary cues, gut cells "smell" and "taste" dietary components and metabolites by taking advantage of chemoreceptors-ORs and TRs, to maintain physiological homeostasis. Here, we reviewed this novel field, highlighting the latest discoveries pertinent to gut ORs and TRs responding to dietary components, their impacts on gut hormone secretion, and the mechanisms involved. Recent studies indicate that gut cells sense dietary components including fatty acid, carbohydrate, and phytochemical by activating relevant ORs, thereby modulating GLP-1, PYY, CCK, and 5-HT secretion. Similarly, gut sweet, umami, and bitter receptors can regulate the gut hormone secretion and maintain homeostasis in response to dietary components. A deeper understanding of the favorable influence of dietary components on gut hormone secretion via gut ORs and TRs, coupled with the facts that gut hormones are involved in diverse physiological or pathophysiological phenomena, may ultimately lead to a promising treatment for various human diseases.

Review: The evolution of peptidergic signaling in Cnidaria and Placozoa, including a comparison with Bilateria

Bilateria have bilateral symmetry and are subdivided into Deuterostomia (animals like vertebrates) and Protostomia (animals like insects and mollusks). Neuropeptides occur in both Proto- and Deuterostomia and they are frequently structurally related across these two lineages. For example, peptides belonging to the oxytocin/vasopressin family exist in both clades. The same is true for the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) of these peptides. These observations suggest that these neuropeptides and their GPCRs were already present in the common ancestor of Proto- and Deuterostomia, which lived about 700 million years ago (MYA). Furthermore, neuropeptides and their GPCRs occur in two early-branching phyla that diverged before the emergence of Bilateria: Cnidaria (animals like corals and sea anemones), and Placozoa (small disk-like animals, feeding on algae). The sequences of these neuropeptides and their GPCRs, however, are not closely related to those from Bilateria. In addition, cnidarian neuropeptides and their receptors are not closely related to those from Placozoa. We propose that the divergence times between Cnidaria, Placozoa, and Bilateria might be too long for recognizing sequence identities. Leucine-rich repeats-containing GPCRs (LGRs) are a special class of GPCRs that are characterized by a long N-terminus containing 10-20 leucine-rich domains, which are used for ligand binding. Among the ligands for LGRs are dimeric glycoprotein hormones, and insulin-like peptides, such as relaxin. LGRs have been found not only in Proto- and Deuterostomia, but also in early emerging phyla, such as Cnidaria and Placozoa. Humans have eight LGRs. In our current review, we have revisited the annotations of LGRs from the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis and the placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens. We identified 13 sea anemone LGRs and no less than 46 LGRs from T. adhaerens. All eight human LGRs appear to have orthologues in sea anemones and placozoans. LGRs and their ligands, therefore, have a long evolutionary history, going back to the common ancestor of Cnidaria and Placozoa.

Identification and functional characterization of the sulfakinin and sulfakinin receptor in the Chinese white pine beetle Dendroctonus armandi

The sulfakinin (SK) is an important signal molecule. As a neuromodulator, it mediates a variety of behavioral processes and physiological functions in invertebrates through the interaction with G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). However, there is no report on the functional role of SK in the Chinese white pine beetle, Dendroctonus armandi. We have cloned and characterized SK and SKR genes in the D. armandi and carried out bioinformatics predictions on the basis of the deduced amino acid sequences, which are very similar to those from Dendroctonus ponderosa. The expression levels of the two genes were different between male and female adults, and there were significant changes in different developmental stages, tissues, and between starvation and following re-feeding states. Additionally, RNA-interference (RNAi) using double-stranded RNA to knock down SK and SKR reduced the transcription levels of the target genes and increased their body weight. In parallel, injection of SK caused a significant reduction in body weight and increase in mortality of D. armandi and also led to an increase in trehalose and a decrease in glycogen and free fatty acid. The results show that the SK signal pathway plays a positive and significant role in feeding regulation and provides a potential molecular target for the control of this pest.

Cholecystokinin Octapeptide Promotes ANP Secretion through Activation of NOX4-PGC-1α-PPARα/PPARγ Signaling in Isolated Beating Rat Atria

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a canonical cardiac hormone, is mainly secreted from atrial myocytes and is involved in the regulation of body fluid, blood pressure homeostasis, and antioxidants. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is also found in cardiomyocytes as a novel cardiac hormone and induces multiple cardiovascular regulations. However, the direct role of CCK on the atrial mechanical dynamics and ANP secretion is unclear. The current study was to investigate the effect of CCK octapeptide (CCK-8) on the regulation of atrial dynamics and ANP secretion. Experiments were performed in isolated perfused beating rat atria. ANP was measured using radioimmunoassay. The levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and arachidonic acid (AA) were determined using ELISA Kits. The levels of relative proteins and mRNA were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR. The results showed that sulfated CCK-8 (CCK-8s) rather than desulfated CCK-8 increased the levels of phosphorylated cytosolic phospholipase A2 and AA release through activation of CCK receptors. This led to the upregulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) expression levels and H₂O₂ production and played a negative inotropic effect on atrial mechanical dynamics via activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels and large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels. In addition, CCK-8s-induced NOX4 subsequently upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) expression levels through activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase as well as the serine/threonine kinase signaling, ultimately promoting the secretion of ANP via activation of PPARα and PPARγ. In the presence of the ANP receptor inhibitor, the CCK-8-induced increase of AA release, H₂O₂ production, and the upregulation of NOX4 and CAT expressions was augmented but the SOD expression induced by CCK-8s was repealed. These findings indicate that CCK-8s promotes the secretion of ANP through activation of NOX4-PGC-1α-PPARα/PPARγ signaling, in which ANP is involved in resistance for NOX4 expression and ROS production and regulation of SOD expression.

Endocrine cybernetics: neuropeptides as molecular switches in behavioural decisions

Plasticity in animal behaviour relies on the ability to integrate external and internal cues from the changing environment and hence modulate activity in synaptic circuits of the brain. This context-dependent neuromodulation is largely based on non-synaptic signalling with neuropeptides. Here, we describe select peptidergic systems in the Drosophila brain that act at different levels of a hierarchy to modulate behaviour and associated physiology. These systems modulate circuits in brain regions, such as the central complex and the mushroom bodies, which supervise specific behaviours. At the top level of the hierarchy there are small numbers of large peptidergic neurons that arborize widely in multiple areas of the brain to orchestrate or modulate global activity in a state and context-dependent manner. At the bottom level local peptidergic neurons provide executive neuromodulation of sensory gain and intrinsically in restricted parts of specific neuronal circuits. The orchestrating neurons receive interoceptive signals that mediate energy and sleep homeostasis, metabolic state and circadian timing, as well as external cues that affect food search, aggression or mating. Some of these cues can be triggers of conflicting behaviours such as mating versus aggression, or sleep versus feeding, and peptidergic neurons participate in circuits, enabling behaviour choices and switches.

Expression of a constitutively active insulin receptor in Drosulfakinin (Dsk) neurons regulates metabolism and sleep in Drosophila

The ability of organisms to sense their nutritional environment and adjust their behavior accordingly is critical for survival. Insulin-like peptides (ilps) play major roles in controlling behavior and metabolism; however, the tissues and cells that insulin acts on to regulate these processes are not fully understood. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, insulin signaling has been shown to function in the fat body to regulate lipid storage, but whether ilps act on the fly brain to regulate nutrient storage is not known. In this study, we manipulate insulin signaling in defined populations of neurons in Drosophila and measure glycogen and triglyceride storage. Expressing a constitutively active form of the insulin receptor (dInR) in the insulin-producing cells had no effect on glycogen or triglyceride levels. However, activating insulin signaling in the Drosulfakinin (Dsk)-producing neurons led to triglyceride accumulation and increased food consumption. The expression of ilp2, ilp3 and ilp5 was increased in flies with activated insulin signaling in the Dsk neurons, which along with the feeding phenotype, may cause the triglyceride storage phenotypes observed in these flies. In addition, expressing a constitutively active dInR in Dsk neurons resulted in decreased sleep in the fed state and less starvation-induced sleep suppression suggesting a role for insulin signaling in regulating nutrient-responsive behaviors. Together, these data support a role for insulin signaling in the Dsk-producing neurons for regulating behavior and maintaining metabolic homeostasis.

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Metabolism and behavior must be coordinately regulated for an animal to survive.

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Hormones act on the brain and peripheral tissues to control feeding and metabolism.

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Whether insulin acts on the Drosophila brain to maintain homeostasis is not known.

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Insulin signaling in Drosulfakinin (Dsk) neurons promotes triglyceride storage.

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Insulin pathway activation in Dsk neurons regulates sleep and feeding behavior.