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Cancer

Discovery of 17 FMRFamide-Related Peptides in Cancer Borealis Pericardial Organ

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified 17 FMRFamide-related peptides in the pericardial organ of Cancer borealis, a type of crustacean. This discovery was made possible by the development of two immunoaffinity-based methods, immunoprecipitation and immuno-dot blot screening assay, which were used in combination with mass spectrometry to characterize the FaRP family. The researchers found three novel peptides in this study, expanding the existing knowledge of FMRFamide-related peptides in invertebrate species.

Key Takeaways:

  • The tetrapeptide, FMRFamide, was first discovered in 1977 in the molluscan nervous system and was found to affect the contractile force of molluscan cardiac muscle and other muscles.
  • The researchers developed two immunoaffinity-based methods, immunoprecipitation and immuno-dot blot screening assay, for the enrichment of FaRPs in C. borealis POs.
  • A combined mass spectrometry approach was used to characterize the FaRP family with high mass accuracy measurement and efficient peptide sequencing.
  • 17 FMRFamide-related peptides were identified in the C. borealis pericardial organ, including three novel peptides reported for the first time in this study.
  • The study provides valuable insights into the FMRFamide-related peptide family, which is distributed across both invertebrate and vertebrate species.

Statistics:

  • 17 FMRFamide-related peptides were identified in the C. borealis pericardial organ.
  • Three novel peptides were reported for the first time in this study.
  • The study was published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications in 2009 (Volume 390, Issue 2, Pages 325-330).

Sources:

  • Cancer Gene Therapy
  • Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
  • Ma, et al. (2009). Immunoaffinity-based mass spectrometric characterization of the FMRFamide-related peptide family in the pericardial organ of Cancer borealis. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 390(2), 325-330.

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