Pyrokinin/PBAN-like peptides in the central nervous system of mosquitoes

The pyrokinin/pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) family of peptides is characterized by a common C-terminal pentapeptide, FXPRLamide, which is required for diverse physiological functions in various insects. Polyclonal antisera against the C-terminus was utilized to determine the location of cell bodies and axons in the central nervous systems of larval and adult mosquitoes. Immunoreactive material was detected in three groups of neurons in the subesophageal ganglion of larvae and adults. The corpora cardiaca of both larvae and adults contained immunoreactivity indicating potential release into circulation. The adult and larval brains had at least one pair of immunoreactive neurons in the protocerebrum with the adult brain having additional immunoreactive neurons in the dorsal medial part of the protocerebrum. The ventral ganglia of both larvae and adults each contained one pair of neurons that sent their axons to a perisympathetic organ associated with each abdominal ganglion. These results indicate that the mosquito nervous system contains pyrokinin/PBAN-like peptides and that these peptides could be released into the hemolymph. The peptides in insects and mosquitoes are produced by two genes, capa and pk/pban. Utilizing PCR protocols, we demonstrate that products of the capa gene could be produced in the abdominal ventral ganglia and the products of the pk/pban gene could be produced in the subesophageal ganglion. Two receptors for pyrokinin peptides were differentially localized to various tissues.     

Recent advances in insect neuropeptides

1. The number of insect neuropeptides identified chemically grows rapidly and most important neuropeptides have already been characterized. After multi-year efforts Bombyx diapause hormone has recently been isolated and sequenced.2. New approaches to search for new insect neuropeptides have been carried out by two groups of workers, which have succeeded in identifying several unique peptides.3. cDNAs for more than 10 insect neuropeptides have been cloned and sequenced. It was found that two functionally distinct neuropeptides. Bombyx diapause hormone and pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide, are encoded in a single gene.     

cDNA CLONING AND SEQUENCE DETERMINATION OF THE PHEROMONE BIOSYNTHESIS ACTIVATING NEUROPEPTIDE FROM THE SEABUCKTHORN CARPENTERWORM,Holcocerus hippophaecolus (LEPIDOPTERA: COSSIDAE)

The PBAN (pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide)/pyrokinin peptides comprise a major neuropeptide family characterized by a common FXPRL amide at the C‐terminus. These peptides are actively involved in many essential endocrine functions. For the first time, we reported the cDNA cloning and sequence determination of the PBAN from the seabuckthorn carpenterworm, Holcocerus hippophaecolus, by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full‐length cDNA of Hh‐DH‐PBAN contained five peptides: diapause hormone (DH) homolog, α‐neuropeptide (NP), β‐NP, PBAN, and γ‐NP. All of the peptides were amidated at their C‐terminus and shared a conserved motif, FXPR (or K) L. Moreover, Hh‐DH‐PBAN had high homology to the other members of the PBAN peptide family: 56% with Manduca sexta, 66% with Bombyx mori, 77% with Helicoverpa zea, and 47% with Plutella xylostella. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Hh‐DH‐PBAN was closely related to PBANs from Noctuidae, demonstrated by the relatively higher similarity compared with H. zea. In addition, real‐time quantitative PCR (qRT‐PCR) analysis showed that Hh‐DH‐PBAN mRNA expression peaked in the brain–subesophageal ganglion (Br–SOG) complex, and was also detected at high levels during larval and adult stages. The expression decreased significantly after pupation. These results provided information concerning molecular structure characteristics of Hh‐DH‐PBAN, whose expression profile suggested that the Hh‐DH‐PBAN gene might be correlated with larval development and sex pheromone biosynthesis in females of the H. hippophaecolus.     

昆虫神经肽研究进展

近年来鉴定了化学结构的昆虫神经肽数目呈快速上升趋势, 家蚕滞育激素和性信息素合成激活肽被分离纯化.三种近年出现的研究方法对寻找新型昆虫神经肽起到重要作用,已经成功地鉴定了数个新型神经肽.昆虫神经肽cDNA或基因组DNA克隆显示了新的结构信息和神经肽间的相互关系.     

cDNA cloning and sequence determination of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

We have identified the cDNAs encoding pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) using PCR technique. The nucleotide sequence showed that the PBAN gene encodes, besides PBAN, diapause hormone and three putative amidated peptides. These four peptides share with PBAN the C-terminal pentapeptide amide which is corresponding to the shortest fragment with pheromonotropic activity. The organization of the PBAN gene is characteristic of several short neuropeptides and has some degree of similarity to that of the gene for the insect neuropeptide FMRFamide. Thus, the PBAN gene products construct a family of structurally related peptides and have various biological functions.     

Molecular cloning,characterization and expression of a gene encoding phosphoketolase from Termitomyces clypeatus

A phosphoketolase (pk) gene from the fungus Termitomyces clypeatus (TC) was cloned and partially characterized. Oligonucleotide primers specific for the phosphoketolase gene (pk) were designed from the regions of homologies found in the primary structure of the enzyme from other fungal sources related to TC, using multiple sequence alignment technique. The cDNA of partial lengths were amplified, cloned and sequenced in three parts by 3′ and 5′ RACE and RT-PCR using these oligonucleotide primers. The full length ds cDNA was constructed next by joining these three partial cDNA sequences having appropriate overlapping regions using Overlap Extension PCR technique. The constructed full length cDNA exhibited an open reading frame of 2487 bases and 5′ and 3′ UTRs. The deduced amino acid sequence, which is of 828 amino acids, when analyzed with NCBI BLAST, showed high similarities with the phosphoketolase enzyme (Pk) superfamily with expected domains. The part of the TC genomic DNA comprising of the pk gene was also amplified, cloned and sequenced and was found to contain two introns of 68 and 74 bases that interrupt the pk reading frame. The coding region of pk cDNA was subcloned in pKM260 expression vector in correct frame and the protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) transformed with this recombinant expression plasmid. The recombinant protein purified by His-tag affinity chromatography indicated the presence of a protein of the expected size. In vivo expression studies of the gene in presence of different carbon sources indicated synthesis of Pk specific mRNA, as expected. Phylogenetic studies revealed a common ancestry of the fungal and bacterial Pk. The TC is known to secrete several industrially important enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. However, the presence of Pk, a key enzyme in pentose metabolism, has not been demonstrated conclusively in this organism. Cloning, sequencing and expression study of this gene establishes the functioning of this gene in T. clypeatus. The Pk from TC is a new source for commercial exploitation.     

Pyrokinin/PBAN-like peptides in the central nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster

The pyrokinin/pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) family of peptides found in insects is characterized by a 5-amino-acid C-terminal sequence, FXPRLamide. The pentapeptide is the active core required for diverse physiological functions, including stimulation of pheromone biosynthesis in female moths, stimulation of muscle contraction, induction of embryonic diapause in Bombyx mori, and stimulation of melanization in some larval moths. Recently, this family of peptides has been implicated in accelerating the formation of the puparium in a dipteran. Using bioassay and immunocytochemical techniques, we demonstrate the presence of pyrokinin/PBAN-like peptides in the central nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster. Pheromonotropic activity was shown in the moths Helicoverpa zeaand Helicoverpa armigera by using dissected larval nervous systems and adult heads and bodies of D. melanogaster. Polyclonal antisera against the C-terminal ending of PBAN revealed the location of cell bodies and axons in the central nervous systems of larval and adult flies. Immunoreactive material was detected in at least three groups of neurons in the subesophageal ganglion of 3rd instar larvae, pupae, and adults. The ring gland of both larvae and adults contained immunoreactivity. Adult brain-subesophageal ganglion complex possessed additional neurons. The fused ventral ganglia of both larvae and adults contained three pairs of neurons that sent their axons to a neurohemal organ connected to the abdominal nervous system. These results indicate that the D. melanogasternervous system contains pyrokinin/PBAN-like peptides and that these peptides could be released into the hemolymph.     

Identification of a unique pheromonotropic neuropeptide including double FXPRL motifs from a geometrid species, Ascotis selenaria cretacea, which produces an epoxyalkenyl sex pheromone

Virgin females of the Japanese giant looper (Ascotis selenaria cretacea, Assc) in the family of Geometridae secrete an epoxyalkenyl sex pheromone to attract males. To regulate its biosynthesis in the pheromone gland, Assc females produce a pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (PBAN) in the suboesophageal ganglion (SG), as do females in many lepidopteran species. We have isolated Assc-PBAN cDNA, which encodes 181 amino acids, including a PBAN homologue and four other putative peptides: a diapause hormone (DH) homologue, alpha-SG neuropeptide (SGNP), beta-SGNP, and gamma-SGNP, all of which shared an FXPR(K)L motif on their C-termini. Although PBANs with 30-35 amino acids have been characterized from 15 other species, the Assc-PBAN homologue consisted of 28 amino acids and showed low homology (<46%) compared with the others. Assc-beta-SGNP with eight amino acids was also shorter than the other beta-SGNPs (16-22 amino acids). Furthermore, all of the known PBAN cDNAs have a GRR sequence between beta-SGNP and PBAN as a cleavage site, but the Assc-PBAN cDNA showed an unusual GR sequence at the corresponding position, indicating the possibility of non-cleavage between the beta-SGNP and PBAN. When the GR sequence was a cleavage site, the question arose of whether or not the glutamine residue at the N-terminus of the Assc-PBAN homologue was cyclized. To identify the sequence of the Assc-PBAN, the brain-SG extract was fractionated by HPLC referring to three synthetic peptides with the predicted sequences. The chromatographic behavior of the natural pheromonotropic peptide revealed the unique structure of Assc-PBAN including beta-SGNP, i.e., SVDFTPRLGRQLVDDVPQRQQIEEDRLGSRTRFFSPRL-NH(2), as the first determination of PBAN from the insects producing an epoxyalkenyl sex pheromone.     

Molecular cloning of pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide in silkworm, Bombyx mori

Pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) is a suboesophageal ganglion secretory polypeptide of insect, which activates the pheromone gland to produce sex pheromone biosynthesis in female silkworm, Bombyx mori. A Bombyx genomic library was screened by the method of plaque hybridization using the 32P-labeled BomDH cDNA as a probe. The genomic sequence encoding PBAN has been cloned and its structure is analyzed. The PBAN gene comprises two exons interspersed by a single intron 697 bp in length. Preceding the PBAN amino acid sequence is a 32-amino acid sequence containing two FXPRL amide peptides, which are α-SGNP (Ile-Ile-Phe-Thr-Pro-Lys-Leu) and β-SGNP (Ser-Val-Ala-Asn-Pro-Arg-Thr-His-Glu-Ser-Leu-Glu-Phe-Ile-Pro-Arg-Leu), which is followed by a Gly-Arg processing site. Immediately, after the PBAN amino acid sequence is a Gly-Arg processing site and a FXPRL amide peptide γ-SGNP (Thr-Met-Ser-Phe-Ser-Pro-Arg-Leu). It is suggested that besides PBAN, 7-, 8-, and 17-residue amidated peptides wer     

PBAN/pyrokinin神经肽类及其基因的研究进展

昆虫在其生长发育过程中,如胚胎发育、蜕皮变态、滞育、迁飞、代谢、生殖等都离不开神经肽的调控。信息素合成激活肽(pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide,PBAN)和Pyrokinin神经肽是C端具有五肽FXPRL(X=S,V,T,G等)(苯丙-X-脯-精-亮氨酸)序列的一类神经肽,在昆虫的生长发育中起重要的生理功能,如性信息素的合成、控制表皮色素、促进胚胎滞育和刺激内脏肌肉收缩等重要的生理功能。因此近几年对PBAN/pyrokinin神经肽的鉴定、加工、作用和降解方式的研究成为研究的热点,为研制高效、低毒、专一性强、无公害的杀虫剂提供了思路。介绍了PBAN/pyrokinin神经肽类及其基因的研究进展,并对PBAN/pyrokinin神经肽在害虫防治中的应用进行了展望。     

Identification and Determination of the Partial cDNA Encoding the Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide in Helicoverpa armigera

Sex pheromone biosynthesis is induced in many moths by a neuropeptide, PBAN, consisting of 33-amino acid amidated at the C-terminus. The present study is concerned with cloning and characterizing the partial sequence of Hea-PBAN cDNA which is isolated from the brain and suboesophageal ganglion complex (Br-Sg) of Helicoverpa armigera adults. From the cDNA sequence, it can be predicted that the cDNA has a PBAN domain with 33 amino acids, LSDDMPATPADQEMYRQDPEQIDSRTKYFSPRL, with FSPRL amidated at the C-terminus. The amino acid sequence of predicted peptides including the PBAN, is identical to that of H. zea and H. assulta.     

Salivary apyrase activity of some old world phlebotomine sand flies

Salivary gland homogenates of three Old World phlebotomine sand flies (Phlebotomus papatasi, P. argentipes and P. perniciosus) contained abundant ATPase and ADPase activities, indicating the presence of an apyrase activity. These activities had an optimum pH around 8.0 and were activated by Ca²⁺ but not Mg²⁺. Both hydrolytic activities and salivary protein content were significantly reduced after the female sand fly took a blood meal indicating a secretory fate for the enzymic activities and salivary gland contents during the feeding process. In contrast to the above mentioned species, the salivary apyrase activity of P. colabaensis is much less abundant. Salivary gland homogenates of P. papatasi, P. argentipes and P. perniciosus inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation of citrated rabbit platelet rich plasma. It is suggested that salivary apyrase activity, as in some other blood-sucking arthropods, helps the blood-feeding process by preventing host platelet aggregation.     

A pentapeptide of the C-terminal sequence of PBAN with pheromonotropic activity

Peptides ranging in length from 4 to 18 amino acid residues representing various sequence fragments of Helicoverpa (Heliothis)zea-pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (Hez-PBAN) were synthesized and tested for pheromonotropic activity. Biological activity resides in the C-terminus and the C-terminal pentapeptide (Phe-Ser-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH₂) represents the minimum sequence essential for induction of pheromone production. The C-terminal hexapeptide (Tyr-Phe-Ser-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH₂) had significantly higher activity at the lower doses of 100 and 10 pmol and may represent a tryptic cleavage product of PBAN.     

Effect of synthetic pban and derived peptides on sex pheromone biosynthesis in Heliothis peltigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The activity of synthetic Heliothis zea PBAN (Hez-PBAN) and four shorter peptides on the sex pheromone biosynthesis in Heliothis peltigera was investigated in order to characterize their biological potency, and to determine the structure-activity relationship. Hez-PBAN (PBAN 1–33) is very potent and stimulates sex pheromone biosynthesis at the picomolar range both in photophase and scotophase. Removal of eight amino acids from the N-terminal region of the peptide Hez-PBAN had only a minor effect on the biological activity. A shorter fragment of Hez-PBAN, lacking 18 amino acids from the N-terminus, was less active. Two short peptides, consisting of eight and six amino acids, derived from the C-terminal region of Hez-PBAN had very little biological activity. In addition, it was found that PBAN 1–33 undergoes oxidation during storage. The oxidation of the peptide resulted in a loss of its biological activity, which could be restored by reduction with N-methylmercaptoacetamide. Unlike PBAN 1–33, PBAN 9–33 did not lose activity as a function of time, and its activity was fully preserved after prolonged storage. The results indicate that PBAN 1–33 and PBAN 9–33 have similar activities, and that the sequence containing the eight N-terminal amino acids is not essential for the biological activity of Hez-PBAN on the biosynthesis of H. peltigera sex pheromone.