A bifunctional heterodimeric insect neuropeptide analog

Int J Pept Protein Res. 1992 Nov;40(5):423-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3011.1992.tb00320.x.

Abstract

The synthesis and biological activity of a bifunctional, heterodimeric insect neuropeptide analog are described. The heterodimer is composed of the C-terminal pentapeptide active core regions of the leucokinin/achetakinin and pyrokinin neuropeptide families linked via their N-terminal amino groups with a succinyl diacid moiety. Members of the leucokinin/achetakinin family can induce fluid secretion in malpighian tubules of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus, whereas the pyrokinins demonstrate activity in a cricket oviduct myotropic bioassay. No cross-activity is observed for the two neuropeptide families in these bioassays. However, the heterodimer elicits responses in both Acheta bioassays. Such a bifunctional analog may in future serve as a template for the design of stable, bifunctional pest insect control agents of greater efficiency.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cockroaches / drug effects
  • Digestive System / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gryllidae / drug effects
  • Insect Control*
  • Insect Hormones / pharmacology
  • Insecta / drug effects*
  • Malpighian Tubules / drug effects
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neuropeptides / chemical synthesis
  • Neuropeptides / pharmacology*
  • Oviducts / drug effects
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology

Substances

  • Insect Hormones
  • Neuropeptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • achetakinin
  • pyrokinin