Urotensin-II

Urotensin-II
Identifiers
ChEMBL ChEMBL503037
ChemSpider 24646295
Jmol-3D images Image
Properties
C64H85N13O18S2
Molar mass 1388.6 g/mol
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
Infobox references
Urotensin-II
Identifiers
Symbol U-II
Entrez 10911
HUGO 12636
OMIM 604097
RefSeq NM_021995
UniProt O95399
Other data
Locus Chr. 1# p36

Urotensin-II (U-II) is a peptide ligand, initially isolated from the neurosecretory system of the Goby fish (Gillichthys mirabilis).[1] For many years it was thought that U-II does not exhibit significant effects in mammalian systems; a view quickly overturned when it was demonstrated that Goby U-II produces slow relaxation of mouse anococcygeus muscle, in addition to contraction of rat artery segments. In 1998, the cDNA encoding a U-II precursor was cloned in humans, unequivocally demonstrating its existence in mammalian species.The vasoconstriction it induces can cause or exacerbate hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease.

In fish, U-II is secreted at the back part of the spinal cord, in a neurosecretory center called uroneurapophysa, and is involved in the regulation of the renal and cardiovascular systems.[2] In mammals, it is involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system.[3]

U-II peptide

As with other peptide ligands, U-II is synthesised from a larger precursor molecule known as Prepro-urotensin-II. Two isoforms have been identified in man of lengths 124 and 139 residues. Cleavage of either of these precursors produces identical, eleven residue, mature U-II peptides. The cyclic, C-terminal hexapeptide sequence((-CYS*-TRY-LYS-TRP-PHE-CYS*-), (*bridged CYS residues)), has been conserved through evolution from lamprey to human species, which diverged some 560 million years ago. The fact that such a strong evolutionary pressure has acted to conserve this sequence highlights its physiological importance. Indeed, this hexapeptide sequence confers biological activity.

References

  1. Bern HA, Lederis K (September 1969). "A reference preparation for the study of active substances in the caudal neurosecretory system of teleosts". J. Endocrinol. 45 (1): Suppl:xi–xii. PMID 5347394.
  2. L. Fishelson, Zoology, renewed and corrected ed. 1984, Hakibutz Hameuchad Pub. House, Israel 1984. Vol II, p.126 (Hebrew)
  3. Douglas SA, Dhanak D, Johns DG (2004). "From 'gills to pills': urotensin-II as a regulator of mammalian cardiorenal function". Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 25 (2): 76–85. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2003.12.005. PMID 15102493.

See also