Eleven new putative aminergic G-protein coupled receptors from Amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae): identification, sequence analysis and phylogenetic relationship

Invert Neurosci. 2007 Jun;7(2):87-98. doi: 10.1007/s10158-006-0041-z. Epub 2007 Jan 16.

Abstract

We have identified eleven novel aminergic-like G-protein coupled receptor (GPCRs) sequences (named AmphiAmR1-11) by searching the genomic trace sequence database for the amphioxus species, Branchiostoma floridae. They share many of the structural motifs that have been used to characterize vertebrate and invertebrate aminergic GPCRs. A preliminary classification of these receptors has been carried out using both BLAST and Hidden Markov Model analyses. The amphioxus genome appears to express a number of D1-like dopamine receptor sequences, including one related to insect dopamine receptors. It also expresses a number of receptors that resemble invertebrate octopamine/tyramine receptors and others that resemble vertebrate alpha-adrenergic receptors. Amphioxus also expresses receptors that resemble vertebrate histamine receptors. Several of the novel receptor sequences have been identified in amphioxus cDNA libraries from a number of tissues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Chordata, Nonvertebrate / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled