IDENTIFICATION OF 2 NOVEL PEPTIDES FROM THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM OFTHE DESERT LOCUST, SCHISTOCERCA-GREGARIA

From an acid methanolic extract of about 7000 brains of the desert loc ust (Schistocerca gregaria) two novel neuropeptides, schistomyotropin- 1 (Scg-MT-1) and schistomyotropin-2! (Scg-MT-2), were isolated and ide ntified. Their primary structures are GAAPAAQFSPRLamide (Scg-MT-1) and TSSLFPHPRLamide (Scg-MT-2). Scg-MT-1 belongs to the locustamyotropin family characterized by its FXPRLamide C-terminus. Scg-MT-2 has a simi lar carboxyl end with the F-residue one position further away hom the C-terminus. This may account for its being 10 times less active then S cg-MT-1 in stimulating cockroach hindgut motility. (C) 1997 Academic P ress.