Identification of the gregarization-associated dark-pigmentotropin in locusts through an albino mutant.
In response to crowding, locusts develop characteristic black patterns that are well discernible in the gregarious phase at outbreaks. We report here a dark-color-inducing neuropeptide (dark-pigmentotropin) from the corpora cardiaca of two plague locusts, Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria. The chromatographic isolation of this neuropeptide was monitored by using a bioassay with an albino mutant of L. migratoria. The neurohormone, consisting of 11 amino acids, is identical to [His7] corazonin, previously isolated from corpora cardiaca of another acridid without known function. The present results show that even in isolated (solitary) nymphs, [His7] corazonin induces gregarious black patterns. Its primary structure shows some similarity with the vertebrate melanophore stimulating hormone.
Tawfik
A I
AI
Department of Insect Physiology and Behavior, National Institute of Sericultural and Entomological Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan.
Tanaka
S
S
De Loof
A
A
Schoofs
L
L
Baggerman
G
G
Waelkens
E
E
Derua
R
R
Milner
Y
Y
Yerushalmi
Y
Y
Pener
M P
MP
D000818:Animals; D006110:Grasshoppers / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D009154:Mutation; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000502:physiology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D009479:Neuropeptides; D010860:Pigments, Biological