CHUNG, J. Sook*; ZMORA, N.; ZOHAR, Y.; COMB, UMBI, Baltimore; COMB, UMBI, Baltimore; COMB, UMBI, Baltimore: Cloning and expression profile of non-eyestalk Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) neuropeptides from the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus

Since the first structural characterization of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) from sinus gland of Carcinus maenas, other CHHs, showing with a high structural similarity, have been identified from non eyestalk tissues (pericardial organs= PO and for-and hindguts) of this crab species.^1-3 Using immunohistochemistry, HPLC and cDNA cloning, we have identified and characterized non-eystalk CHHs from PO and guts of the blue crab. These non-eyestalk CHHs show high resemblance in their structure to eyestalk CHH (AAS 45136). The results obtained from the testing biological activity of PO-CHH indicate that PO-CHH doesn�t involve in the modulation of glucose or lactate level in hemolymph. It was, however, noted that the expression of CHH gene in PO and eyestalk was sensitive to stress. Yet the regulatory mechanism governing the expression of PO-CHH and eyestalk CHH appears to be different. 1. Kegel et al., (1989) FEBS Letters 255, 10-14. 2. Chung et al., (1999) PNAS, 96, 13103-13107. 3. Dircksen et al., (2001) Biochem J 356, 159-170.