Insect neuropeptides: Structures, chemical modifications and potential for insect control

[des-Arg 1 ]-Proctolin: A novel NEP-like enzyme inhibitor identified in Tityus serrulatus venom

“…Proctolin was first purified from Periplaneta americana cockroaches, but it was later shown to represent the most common neuropeptide in insects [38]. Many structural studies with proctolin indicate that the loss of N-terminal arginine abolishes neuropeptide activity [36,37]. However, our results indicate that this loss has most likely turned this novel molecule, [des-Arg 1 ]-proctolin, into a natural NEP inhibitor.…”

“…Proctolin is an insect neuropeptide involved in muscle contraction in the digestive, reproductive and circulatory systems, and it also acts as a neurotransmitter, a neuromodulator, and a neurohormone in neurosecretory cells (see [36]; and [37] for reviews). Proctolin was first purified from Periplaneta americana cockroaches, but it was later shown to represent the most common neuropeptide in insects [38].…”

OKB, a novel family of brain-gut neuropeptides from insects

“…Mature neuropeptides are secreted to the extracellular environment to exert their physiological role. The insect neuropeptides and its receptors are a promising target for a novel generation of insecticides, which offer improved selectivity and environmental compatibility (Scherkenbeck and Zdobinsky, 2009). The knowledge of neuropeptide system provides the tools for the design of peptidomimetics, pseudopeptides or small molecules capable of disrupting the physiological processes regulated by the signaling molecules and their receptors.…”

Characterization and pharmacological analysis of two adipokinetic hormone receptor variants of the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans

“…Due to its pleiotropic actions, the AKH signaling system may become an interesting target for the development of new insecticides that are detrimental for the fly's and trypanosome's fitness, which are considered as one of the best ways to combat trypanosomiasis (Aksoy, 2003;De Vooght et al, 2014). The potential of neuropeptidergic signaling systems as targets for new insecticides has been highlighted because of their regulatory function in most physiological processes during an insect's life (G€ ade and Goldsworthy, 2003;Scherkenbeck and Zdobinsky, 2009;Verlinden et al, 2014). So far, none of the tsetse neuropeptidergic signaling systems has been pharmacologically studied.…”