Rl. Abernathy et al., PHEROMONOTROPIC ACTIVITY OF NATURALLY-OCCURRING PYROKININ INSECT NEUROPEPTIDES (FXPRLAMIDE) IN HELICOVERPA-ZEA, Peptides, 16(2), 1995, pp. 215-219
Insect neuropeptides, having the common C-terminal sequence FXPRLamide
(X = V, T, S, or G), were rested for pheromonotropic activity in the
moth, Helicoverpa tea. Dose-response studies indicated that locustamyo
tropin-II or locustapyrokinin-II induced production of more pheromone
than was stimulated by the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropept
ide of this moth. Other peptides showed various degrees of pheromonotr
opic activity. The data indicated that substitution of the variable am
ino acid in the C-terminal pentapeptide sequence resulted in significa
nt differences in pheromonotropic activity. However, the overall struc
ture of the peptide was also found to be of importance.