title: Molecular characterization of neuropeptide F from the eastern subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).
abstract: Neuropeptide F (NPF)-like immunoreactivity was previously found to be abundant in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. Purification of the NPF from a whole body extract of worker termites was accomplished in the current study by HPLC and heterologous radioimmunoassay for an NPF-related peptide, Helicoverpa zea Midgut Peptide-I. A partial amino acid sequence allowed determination of the corresponding cDNA that encoded an open reading frame deduced for authentic R. flavipes NPF (Ref NPF): KPSDPEQLADTLKYLEELDRFYSQVARPRFa. Effects of synthetic NPFs on muscle contractions were investigated for isolated foreguts and hindguts of workers, with Drm NPF inhibiting spontaneous contractions of hindguts. Phylogenetic analysis of invertebrate NPF sequences reveals two separate groupings, with Ref NPF occurring within a clade composed exclusively of arthropods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, 413 Biological Sciences Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2603, USA. nuss8@uga.edu
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Nuss
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Forschler
authors.forename: Joe W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Crim
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: TeBrugge
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects; D006110:Grasshoppers / Q000187:drug effects; D020049:Isoptera / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010802:Phylogeny; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; C076101:neuropeptide F