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Gene Review:

Burs - Bursicon

Drosophila melanogaster

Synonyms: BURS, Bur alpha, Burs alpha, Bursalpha, Bursicon subunit alpha, ...

Dewey, E.M. et al., Luo, C.W. et al., Honegger, H.W. et al., Luan, H. et al., Honegger, H.W. et al., et al.

Baker, Truman, Honegger, Dewey, Kostron, Honegger, Market, Pierce, Dewey, Kostron, Wilson, Choi, Klukas, Mesce,

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Disease relevance of burs

The first group, which we call NCCAP-c929, includes 14 bursicon-expressing neurons of the abdominal ganglion that lie within the expression pattern of the enhancer-trap line c929-Gal4 [1].

High impact information on burs

The pburs/burs heterodimer from Drosophila melanogaster binds with high affinity and specificity to activate the G protein-coupled receptor DLGR2, leading to the stimulation of cAMP signaling in vitro and tanning in neck-ligated blowflies [2].
In situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry revealed that bursicon is co-expressed with crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) [3].
This predicted bursicon protein belongs to the cystine knot family, which includes vertebrate transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and glycoprotein hormones [3].
Point mutations in the bursicon gene cause defects in cuticle sclerotization and wing expansion behavior [3].
Drosophila molting neurohormone bursicon is a heterodimer and the natural agonist of the orphan receptor DLGR2 [4].

Biological context of burs

In D. melanogaster the levels of pburs, burs, and DLGR2 transcripts are increased before ecdysis, consistent with their role in postecdysial cuticle changes [2].
In contrast, mutants do melanize in response to injection of an analog of cyclic AMP, the second messenger for bursicon [5].
Additionally, using the partial peptide sequences, we successfully searched the Drosophila genome project for the gene encoding bursicon [6].
From bioassays to Drosophila genetics: strategies for characterizing an essential insect neurohormone, bursicon [6].
This was supported by evidence that wing cell death was inhibited by a mutation of rickets, which encodes a G-protein coupled receptor in the glycoprotein hormone family that is a putative bursicon receptor [7].

Anatomical context of burs

We show that suppression of activity within this group blocks bursicon release into the hemolymph together with tanning and wing expansion [1].
Antibodies raised against the two sequences labeled bursicon-containing neurons in the central nervous systems of P. americana [8].
Bursicon, however, is contained in unique cell pairs in the ganglia of the ventral nerve cord [9].

Associations of burs with chemical compounds

Bursicon, the insect cuticle-hardening hormone, is a heterodimeric cystine knot protein that activates G protein-coupled receptor LGR2 [2].

Other interactions of burs

Transgenic flies that lack CCAP neurons also lacked bursicon bioactivity [3].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of burs

Bioassays show that these mutants have decreased bursicon bioactivity [3].
In addition, this antiserum detected three spots corresponding to bursicon in Western blots of two-dimensional gels [8].
In an attempt to identify this important neurohormone, bursicon was purified from homogenates of 2,850 nerve cords of the cockroach Periplaneta americana by using high performance liquid chromatography technology and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis [8].

References

Functional dissection of a neuronal network required for cuticle tanning and wing expansion in Drosophila. Luan, H., Lemon, W.C., Peabody, N.C., Pohl, J.B., Zelensky, P.K., Wang, D., Nitabach, M.N., Holmes, T.C., White, B.H. J. Neurosci. (2006) [Pubmed]
Bursicon, the insect cuticle-hardening hormone, is a heterodimeric cystine knot protein that activates G protein-coupled receptor LGR2. Luo, C.W., Dewey, E.M., Sudo, S., Ewer, J., Hsu, S.Y., Honegger, H.W., Hsueh, A.J. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (2005) [Pubmed]
Identification of the gene encoding bursicon, an insect neuropeptide responsible for cuticle sclerotization and wing spreading. Dewey, E.M., McNabb, S.L., Ewer, J., Kuo, G.R., Takanishi, C.L., Truman, J.W., Honegger, H.W. Curr. Biol. (2004) [Pubmed]
Drosophila molting neurohormone bursicon is a heterodimer and the natural agonist of the orphan receptor DLGR2. Mendive, F.M., Van Loy, T., Claeysen, S., Poels, J., Williamson, M., Hauser, F., Grimmelikhuijzen, C.J., Vassart, G., Vanden Broeck, J. FEBS Lett. (2005) [Pubmed]
Mutations in the Drosophila glycoprotein hormone receptor, rickets, eliminate neuropeptide-induced tanning and selectively block a stereotyped behavioral program. Baker, J.D., Truman, J.W. J. Exp. Biol. (2002) [Pubmed]
From bioassays to Drosophila genetics: strategies for characterizing an essential insect neurohormone, bursicon. Honegger, H.W., Dewey, E.M., Kostron, B. Acta. Biol. Hung. (2004) [Pubmed]
Activation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway is required for post-ecdysial cell death in wing epidermal cells of Drosophila melanogaster. Kimura, K., Kodama, A., Hayasaka, Y., Ohta, T. Development (2004) [Pubmed]
Cellular localization of bursicon using antisera against partial peptide sequences of this insect cuticle-sclerotizing neurohormone. Honegger, H.W., Market, D., Pierce, L.A., Dewey, E.M., Kostron, B., Wilson, M., Choi, D., Klukas, K.A., Mesce, K.A. J. Comp. Neurol. (2002) [Pubmed]
Antisera against Periplaneta americana Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD): separation of the neurohormone bursicon from SOD, and immunodetection of SOD in the central nervous system. Kostron, B., Market, D., Kellermann, J., Carter, C.E., Honegger, H.W. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. (1999) [Pubmed]

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