Peptides and protein hormones form the largest group of secreted signals that mediate intercellular communication and are central regulators of physiology and behavior in all animals. Phylogenetic analyses and biochemical identifications of peptide-receptor systems reveal a broad evolutionary conservation of these signaling systems at the molecular level. Substantial progress has been made in recent years on characterizing the physiological and putative ancestral roles of many peptide systems through comparative studies in invertebrate models. Several peptides and protein hormones are not only molecularly conserved but also have conserved roles across animal phyla. Here, we focus on functional insights gained in the nematode that, with its compact and well-described nervous system, provides a powerful model to dissect neuroendocrine signaling networks involved in the control of physiology and behavior. We summarize recent discoveries on the evolutionary conservation and knowledge on the functions of peptide and protein hormone systems in .

中文翻译：

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线虫进化保守肽和糖蛋白激素样神经内分泌系统

肽和蛋白质激素形成最大的一组分泌信号，介导细胞间通讯，是所有动物生理和行为的核心调节因子。肽受体系统的系统发育分析和生化鉴定揭示了这些信号系统在分子水平上广泛的进化保守性。近年来，通过无脊椎动物模型的比较研究，在表征许多肽系统的生理和推定祖先作用方面取得了实质性进展。几种肽和蛋白质激素不仅在分子上保守，而且在动物门中也具有保守的作用。在这里，我们重点关注在线虫中获得的功能见解，该线虫以其紧凑且描述良好的神经系统，提供了一个强大的模型来剖析参与生理和行为控制的神经内分泌信号网络。我们总结了有关进化保守性的最新发现以及有关肽和蛋白质激素系统功能的知识。