title: Insect allatotropins belong to a family of structurally-related myoactive peptides present in several invertebrate phyla.
abstract: Originally named for its ability to stimulate juvenile hormone production by lepidopteran corpora allata, allatotropin has emerged as a neuropeptide with multiple neural, endocrine and myoactive roles. This paper describes the experimental evidence for allatotropin action, its localization in several species of insects, and its multiple effects on a variety of different tissues that lead to increased hemolymph circulation and gut motility. The overall physiological effects may also include species-specific effects such as the regulation of nutrient absorption, modulation of the circadian cycle and migratory preparedness. In addition, we present evidence suggesting that allatotropins are members of a family of myoactive peptides found in several invertebrate phyla. Finally, we speculate that the myoactive properties of allatotropins are basal and it is likely that the stimulatory action of allatotropins on juvenile hormone synthesis evolved secondarily.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Elekonich
authors.forename: Frank M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Horodyski
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D007605:Juvenile Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007301:Insect Hormones; D019476:Insect Proteins; D007605:Juvenile Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; C050669:allatotropin