Allatostatic neuropeptides from the cockroach Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera, Blattellidae). Identification, immunolocalization and activity

Regul Pept. 1994 Oct 21;53(3):237-47. doi: 10.1016/0167-0115(94)90172-4.

Abstract

Four allatostatic neuropeptides were isolated from extracts of the brain of the cockroach Blattella germanica. The primary structures of these peptides were assigned as Leu-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2 (BLAST-1), Asp-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2 (BLAST-2), Ala-Gly-Ser-Asp-Gly-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2 (BLAST-3) and Ala-Pro-Ser-Ser-Ala-Gln-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Gly-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2 (BLAST-4). Each of the peptides showed C-terminal amino acid sequence similarity to cockroach allatostatins and blowfly callatostatins. The four peptides inhibited in vitro juvenile hormone production by corpora allata from virgin females of B. germanica. Immunoreactivity against allatostatins was seen in the lateral neurosecretory neurons and in the axonal pathway leading to the corpora allata.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Axons / ultrastructure
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain Chemistry
  • Cockroaches*
  • Corpora Allata / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Insecta
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neuropeptides / chemistry*
  • Neuropeptides / isolation & purification
  • Neuropeptides / pharmacology
  • Neurosecretory Systems / cytology
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Neuropeptides