MULTIPLE ANTIGENIC PEPTIDES DESIGNED TO STRUCTURALLY RELATED DROSOPHILA PEPTIDES

We have isolated TDVDHVnRFamide (DMS), FDDYGHMRFamide (DSK), and DPKQD FMRFamide from Drosophila melanogaster. These peptides, structurally r elated by a common C-terminus -XRFamide, where X = L or M, are encoded by three different genes. To determine cellular expression, we have g enerated antisera to multiple antigenic peptides and performed double- label immunofluorescence using antisera raised in the same species hos t animal. Our results indicate that DMS and DSK immunoreactive materia ls have unique, non-overlapping expression patterns, while DMS and DPK QDFMRFamide immunoreactive materials colocalize in two superior protoc erebrum neurons, and DSK and DPKQDFMRFamide immunoreactive materials c olocalize in one superior protocerebrum neuron, one subesophageal gang lion neuron, and three thoracic ganglia neurons. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sci ence Inc.