Synthesis and expression of genes encoding putative insect neuropeptide precursors in tobacco.
Neuropeptides are the key molecules in a multiplicity of physiological processes and their use in pest control has recently been suggested. Most neuropeptides are produced in the form of a precursor that is cleaved by proteolysis to yield various biologically active peptides. To mimic this structure, a method has been developed for synthesizing genes that code for putative polyneuropeptide precursors. As a model neuropeptide, the 5-amino-acid proctolin, one of the best studied invertebrate neuropeptides, functioning both as a visceral and a skeletal neuromuscular transmitter, was chosen. The synthetic gene was introduced into bacteria and tobacco plants, where it was efficiently transcribed. We present our results as a possible approach for the expression, in a variety of organisms, of synthetic genes coding for a wide repertoire of insect neuropeptides.
Dipartimento di Scienze Agronomiche e Genetica Vegetale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Portici, Italy.
R
R
Rao
A
A
Manzi
E
E
Filippone
P
P
Manfredi
A
A
Spasiano
G
G
Colucci
L M
LM
Monti
C
C
Malva
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017125:Genes, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*
D009479:Neuropeptides; D009842:Oligopeptides; D011498:Protein Precursors; C011536:proctolin