Structure of a Molluscan Neuropeptide Hormone Receptor

使用无脊椎动物的模型系统提供了有见地的， 创新的新信息，以阐明更复杂的 哺乳动物的神经活动 内格尔博士正在利用卵子的控制- 产卵行为的海洋软体动物，以了解 神经内分泌功能的细胞和分子基础。 的 神经分泌囊细胞合成并释放一种新的 神经肽产卵激素（ELH）是神经内分泌的模型 这些细胞已经被广泛用于阐明神经 细胞功能。 他的研究项目旨在分离和 表征膜受体蛋白，其在完整的 动物，结合ELH并启动一系列复杂的细胞 以及以产卵为高潮的行为事件， 生殖功能。 编码这种行为的基因 重要受体蛋白将被克隆和测序。 与 这些关于荷尔蒙信号是如何 可以被神经和非神经细胞转导。 因此，了解肽受体的表达， 这个简单的行为系统应该能增强我们对 并导致了关于受体表达的普遍性， 神经内分泌功能

Model systems using invertebrates have provided insightful and innovative new information towards elucidating more complex neural events in mammals. Dr. Nagle is using the control of egg- laying behavior in the marine mollusc Aplysia to understand the cellular and molecular bases of neuroendocrine function. The neurosecretory bag cells that synthesize and release a novel neuropeptide egg-laying hormone (ELH) are model neuroendocrine cells that have been used extensively to elucidate how neural cells function. His research program is aimed at isolating and characterizing a membrane receptor protein which, in the intact animal, binds the ELH and initiates a complex series of cellular and behavioral events that culminate in egg laying and reproductive functions. The gene that encodes this behaviorally important receptor protein will be cloned and sequenced. With this knowledge, functional questions about how a hormonal signal may be transduced by neural and non-neural cells can be examined. Thus, understanding the expression of the peptide receptor in this simple behavioral system should enhance our understanding and lead to generalities about receptor expression in neuroendocrine functions.