Work

Primary structure of four allatostatins: neuropeptide inhibitors of juvenile hormone synthesis.

Year: 1989

Type: article

Abstract: Four neuropeptides that inhibit juvenile hormone synthesis by the corpora allata have been isolated from brains of the virgin female cockroach Diploptera punctata. These allatostatins are 8-13 amino acids long, are amidated, and show sequence similarity, including a 3-amino acid sequence at the C-terminal end that is common to all four peptides. The peptide sequences are as follows: allatostatin 1, Ala-Pro-Ser-Gly-Ala-Gln-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Gly-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2; allatostatin 2, Gly-Asp-Gly-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Ala-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2; allatostatin 3, Gly-Gly-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2; and allatostatin 4, Asp-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2. An in vitro bioassay of the synthesized allatostatins showed greater than 40% inhibition of juvenile hormone synthesis by corpora allata of virgin females with 10(-9) M allatostatin 1, 10(-8) M allatostatins 2 and 4, and 7 X 10(-7) M allatostatin 3. Inhibition by allatostatins 1-4 was reversible. In addition, allatostatin 1 inhibited juvenile hormone synthesis by corpora allata from mated females and last-instar larvae of D. punctata and corpora allata of adult female Periplaneta americana.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.86.15.5997

Authors: A P Woodhead, B Stay, S L Seidel, M A Khan, S S Tobe

Institutions: University of Iowa, University of Toronto

Language: English

Topic: Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Center for Research Resources

Awards: G1277288050, G243606720, MASS SPECTROMETRY FACILITY FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH