PERIVISCEROKININ (PEA-PVK) - A NOVEL MYOTROPIC NEUROPEPTIDE FROM THE PERISYMPATHETIC ORGANS OF THE AMERICAN COCKROACH

A myotropic neuropeptide was isolated From extracts of 1000 abdominal perisympathetic organs of males of the cockroach, Periplaneta american a. This peptide, termed periviscerokinin, has excitatory actions on th e hyperneural muscle of Periplaneta americana. After peptide sequence analysis and mass spectrometry, the structure of this peptide was conf irmed by chemical synthesis and bioassay to be Gly-Ala-Ser-Gly-Leu-Ile -Pro-Val-Met-Arg-Asn-NH2. This sequence is different from the other kn own myotropic peptides in insects. The threshold concentration for sti mulatory effects of the synthetic peptide on the isolated hyperneural muscle was about 10(-9) M, suggesting a physiological role as a neuroh ormone.