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International Journal of Biological Chemistry

Year: 2011 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 127-135
DOI: 10.17311/ijbc.2011.127.135
Elucidation of the Primary Structure of an Adipokinetic Neuropeptide from the Coffee Locust, Aularches miliaris L. (Pyrgomorphidae: Orthoptera)
A.P. Ajaykumar and M. Gokuldas

Abstract: In insects, the retrocerebral complex comprises the Corpora Cardiaca (CC) and the Corpora Allata (CA). The CC act as a neurohaemal organ, storing and releasing neuropeptides produced in the brain. The CC also contains intrinsic glandular cells that produce and release several neuropeptides including Adipokinetic Hormones (AKHs). The present investigation reveals the presence of adipokinetic neuropeptides in the coffee locust, Aularches miliaris. The corpora cardiaca extract was fractionated by HPLC, monitoring the eluants both at 210 and 280 nm. Fractions were collected, dried and tested for adipokinetic activity by a homologous in vivo bioassay. Three UV absorbance peaks were found to contain materials with significant adipokinetic activity. MALDI-MS analysis of the extract indicated that the molecular mass, 1167.16Da, is similar to the already known AKH from the insect, Phymateus morbillosus. MALDI-MS/MS analysis confirmed that its primary structure is exactly similar to the structures reported for the Phymo-AKH-I (pE-L-N-F-T-P-N-W-G-S-NH2). Since, A. miliaris is a pest of economically important plants, the knowledge of primary structure of its AKH may be helpful in designing mimetic antagonistic and agonistic of these peptides which may be useful for the control of this pest as well as pests of related groups, employing biotechnological tools.

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How to cite this article
A.P. Ajaykumar and M. Gokuldas , 2011. Elucidation of the Primary Structure of an Adipokinetic Neuropeptide from the Coffee Locust, Aularches miliaris L. (Pyrgomorphidae: Orthoptera). International Journal of Biological Chemistry, 5: 127-135.

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