Leucosulfakinin, a Sulfated Insect Neuropeptide with Homology to Gastrin and Cholecystokinin

Abstract

A sulfated, myotropic neuropeptide termed leucosulfakinin (Glu-Gln-Phe-Glu-Asp-Tyr(SO3H)-Gly-His-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2) was isolated from head extracts of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. The peptide exhibits sequence homology with the hormonally active portion of the vertebrate hormones human gastrin II and cholecystokinin, suggesting that these peptides are evolutionarily related. Six of the 11 amino acid residues (55 percent) are identical to those in gastrin II. In addition, the intestinal myotropic action of leucosulfakinin is analogous to that of gastrin.

Molecular and functional characterization of cionin receptors in the ascidian, Ciona intestinalis: the evolutionary origin of the vertebrate cholecystokinin/gastrin family

“…CCK/ gastrin-like sulfated peptides have also been identified in protostome. Sulfakinin and neuropeptide-like protein 12 (NLP12) were isolated from protostomes, such as arthropods and nematodes respectively (Nachman et al 1986, Nichols et al 1988, Janssen et al 2008. They display amino acid sequence similarity to CCK and cionin and exhibit similar physiological function to vertebrate CCK/gastrin (Janssen et al 2008).…”

Peptidomic analysis of the larval Drosophila melanogaster central nervous system by two‐dimensional capillary liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

“…Sulfakinins have been identified in various insects including the cockroaches Leucophaea maderae 11,12 and Periplaneta americana, 13 the locust Locusta migratoria 14 and the flies Neobellieria bullata 15 and Calliphora vomitoria. 16 Similar to CCK in vertebrates, sulfakinins reduce food intake in locusts and stimulate contraction in visceral muscles.…”

Toward a framework for sulfoproteomics: Synthesis and characterization of sulfotyrosine‐containing peptides

“…86 Most commonly, Tyr sulfation is achieved by treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid in the cold [43][44][45][87][88][89] or with a complex of sulfur trioxide with either pyridine 38,80,84,[89][90][91][92] or DMF. 75,93,94 With concentrated sulfuric acid, control of reaction temperature and time are crucial to achieve quantitative sulfation and minimize sulfonation as a side reaction.…”

“…37 Tyr sulfation is not limited to proteins but also occurs in bioactive peptides isolated from a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms (Table I). These include peptide hormones and neuropeptides of the gastrin/cholecystokinin (CCK) family, 17,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48] Leu-enkephalin, 49 and bradykinin-related peptides, referred to as phyllokinins, from the skin of the South American frog Phyllomedusa rohdei. 50 Tyr sulfation also occurs in certain a-conotoxins that have been isolated from the venoms of various cone snail species and act as potent antagonists of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.…”