A highly conserved red pigment-concentrating hormone precursor in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus.

A cDNA library was established from the eyestalk ganglia of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus. One clone was isolated (644 bp excluding the poly(A) tail) which encodes the red pigment-concentrating hormone (RPCH)-precursor, consisting of the 25 amino acid residue signal peptide, the RPCH, and a 73 amino acid residue RPCH-precursor related peptide. This clone displays high sequence similarity with a clone isolated from an eyestalk cDNA library of the shore crab Carcinus maenas, in accordance with the close phylogenetic relationship between these species. Northern blot experiments indicated the presence of two different mRNA transcripts which hybridized with a specific RPCH-cDNA probe pointing to the possibility of multiple RPCH isoforms in the blue crab. Although crustacean RPCH and the insect adipokinetic hormones (AKH) are structurally related, their precursors show little similarity.

Molecular cloning of two pigment-dispersing hormone (PDH) precursors in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus reveals a novel member of the PDH neuropeptide family.

A cDNA library was established from the eyestalk ganglia of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus. Screening resulted in the isolation of a clone (497 bp excluding poly(A) tail) which encodes a beta-PDH previously found in several crustacean species. It displays high sequence similarity with a clone isolated from an eyestalk cDNA library of the shore crab Carcinus maenas, indicating the close phylogenetic relationship of both species. A second clone (414 bp exclusive of the poly(A) tail) encodes a novel beta-PDH analog which displays 400-fold less potency in crab bioassays. Both cDNAs encode open reading frames of 234 bp for the prepropeptides, consisting of signal peptides, PDH-precursor-related peptides, and PDH sequences.

Locustatachykinin immunoreactivity in the blowfly central nervous system and intestine.

An antiserum raised against locustatachykinin I, one of four myotropic peptides that have been isolated from the locust brain and corpora cardiaca, was characterized by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and used for immunocytochemical detection of neurons and endocrine cells in the nervous system and intestine of the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria. The ELISA characterization indicated that the antiserum recognizes the common C-terminus sequence of the locustatachykinins I-III. Hence, the cross reaction with locustatachykinin IV is less, and in competitive ELISAs no cross reaction was detected with a series of vertebrate tachykinins tested. It was also shown that the antiserum recognized material in extracts of blowfly heads, as measured in ELISA. In high-performance liquid chromatography the extracted locustatachykinin-like immunoreactive (LomTK-LI) material eluted in two different ranges. A fairly large number of LomTK-LI neurons was detected in the blowfly brain and thoracicoabdominal ganglion. A total of about 160 LomTK-LI neurons was seen in the proto-, deuto-, and tritocerebrum and subesophageal ganglion. Immunoreactive processes from these neurons could be traced in many neuropil regions of the brain: superior and dorsomedian protocerebrum, optic tubercle, fan-shaped body and ventral bodies of the central complex, all the glomeruli of the antennal lobes, and tritocerebral and subesophageal neuropil. No immunoreactivity was seen in the mushroom bodies or the optic lobes. In the fused thoracicoabdominal ganglion, 46 LomTK-LI neurons could be resolved. The less evolved larval nervous system was also investigated to obtain additional information on the morphology and projections of immunoreactive neurons. In neither the larval nor the adult nervous systems could we identify any efferent or afferent immunoreactive axons or neurosecretory cells. The widespread distribution of LomTK-LI material in interneurons suggests an important role of the native peptide(s) as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator within the central nervous system. Additionally a regulatory function in the intestine is indicated by the presence of immunoreactivity in endocrine cells of the midgut.

Primary structure and relative potency of an analog of beta-PDH (pigment-dispersing hormone) from the crayfish Procambarus clarkii.

A pigment-dispersing hormone (PDH) from eyestalks of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii was purified by gel filtration, cation-exchange chromatography, partition chromatography, and reversed-phase HPLC. Based on automated sequencing and by the identical chromatographic behavior of the native PDH and the synthetic amidated form of the deduced sequence, the primary structure of Procambarus PDH has been established as: Asn-Ser-Glu-Leu-Ile-Asn-Ser-Ile-Leu-Gly-Leu-Pro-Lys-Val-Met-Asn-Glu-Ala- NH2. This peptide differs from beta-PDH of the fiddler crab Uca pugilator at a single position, Glu17 in place of Asp17. Because of this substitution, Procambarus PDH was 4 to 7-fold less potent than beta-PDH in causing pigment dispersion in the erythrophores, leucophores, and melanophores of Uca. In contrast, Procambarus PDH was 4-fold more potent than beta-PDH in eliciting pigment dispersion in the erythrophores of Procambarus. These peptides displayed less marked differences in potency in triggering leucophore pigment dispersion and light-adaptational distal eye pigment movement in Procambarus. These findings indicate that the structural requirements for PDH-receptor interactions vary with the species and with the target cell type within a given species.

A new peptide in the FMRFamide family isolated from the CNS of the hawkmoth, Manduca sexta.

We have purified a FMRFamide-like peptide from extracts of brain-subesophageal ganglion of the moth, Manduca sexta. The purification was monitored with a new, competitive ELISA, and accomplished with ion exchange and reverse-phase HPLC. The peptide structure was determined by a combination of tandem mass spectrometry and automated Edman degradation. The amino acid sequence of the peptide is less than Glu-Asp-Val-Val-His-Ser-Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-amide (pEDVVHSFLRF-NH2). In a separate purification, an identical peptide was isolated from extracts of brain-associated neurohemal structures. We have named this peptide ManducaFLRFamide, to indicate its homology with other members of the "FMRFamide" family. In bioassays, chemically synthesized peptide increased the force of neurally evoked contractions in the major power-producing flight muscles, the dorsal longitudinal muscles. This observation suggests that hormonally released ManducaFLRFamide may play a role in sustaining or promoting the flight behavior necessary for mate-seeking (in males) or oviposition (in females) in sphingid moths.

A heme- and metal-binding hexapeptide from the sequence of rabbit plasma histidine-rich glycoprotein.

Rabbit histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) binds low-spin heme and metals tightly at several sites that contain histidine. As part of an on-going effort to define and locate the binding sites for these and the other ligands of HRG, the sequence: NH2-Gly-His-Phe-Pro-Phe-His-Trp-... was found in a 16 kDa heme-binding peptide isolated from HRG. The spacing of the histidyl residues in this peptide, which contains the C-terminal 79 residues of HRG, together with molecular modeling suggested that this sequence might constitute one heme binding site of HRG by accommodating heme in a bis-histidyl linkage. Three peptides based on this sequence (I, HFPFHW; II, WHFPFH; and III, HFGFHW) were synthesized, and their ability to bind heme and metals examined. All three peptides bind heme as demonstrated by the changes produced in the absorbance of heme when mixed with the peptides. Substituting glycine for proline in the central position or moving the location of the tryptophan did not affect heme binding. The apparent Kd's of the mesoheme/peptide I, II and III complexes are 75 +/- 25 microM, indicative of heme binding approximately 100 times less avid than the mesoheme/HRG complex (Kd ca. 1 microM), but nearly 1000 times tighter than that of the mesoheme/histidine complex (Kd ca. 60 mM). The absorbance spectra of the mesoheme/peptide complexes, the loss of binding caused by modification of histidine residues, and the pH dependence of heme binding, all indicate that heme forms a low spin, bis-histidyl type of complex with these peptides, like that formed with HRG itself. Copper, but not cadmium or nickel, was an effective inhibitor of heme binding by the peptides. The sequence of HRG congruent with the sequence of peptide I is proposed to be one heme- and metal-binding site of rabbit HRG.

Alpha-melanotropin: the minimal active sequence in the lizard skin bioassay.

alpha-Melanotropin (alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, alpha-MSH) is a tridecapeptide, Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2. The minimal sequence of alpha-MSH required for agonism in the lizard (Anolis carolinensis) skin bioassay was determined to be Ac-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH2 (Ac-alpha-MSH6-9-NH2). Smaller fragments of this sequence (Ac-alpha-MSH6-8-NH2, Ac-alpha-MSH6-7-NH2, Ac-alpha-MSH7-9-NH2, and Ac-alpha-MSH7-8-NH2) were devoid of melanotropic activity. The tetrapeptide, Ac-alpha-MSH7-10-NH2, was also inactive, thus again demonstrating the importance of His at position 6 for minimal activity. The important potentiating amino acids were found to be Met-4, Lys-11, and Pro-12, since Ac-alpha-MSH4-10-NH2 was about 100 times more potent than Ac-alpha-MSH5-10-NH2, and Ac-[Nle4]-alpha-MSH4-11-NH2 was about 40 times more potent than Ac-alpha-MSH4-10-NH2 or Ac-[Nle4]-alpha-MSH4-10-NH2. Ac-alpha-MSH4-12-NH2 and Ac-[Nle4]-alpha-MSH4-12-NH2 were equipotent and about six times more potent than alpha-MSH. Since [Nle4]-alpha-MSH and Ac-[Nle4]-alpha-MSH4-13-NH2 were both equipotent but about sixfold less active than Ac-[Nle4]-alpha-MSH4-12-NH2, it is clear that valine at position 13 does not contribute to the potency of alpha-MSH, except possibly in a negative way. The minimal message sequence for equipotency to alpha-MSH appears to be Ac-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-NH2, since the analog, Ac-[Nle4]-alpha-MSH4-11-NH2, was as active as the native hormone. Ser-1, Tyr-2, Ser-3, Glu-5, and Val-13 are not important for melanotropic potency since Ac-alpha-MSH4-12-NH2 was more potent than alpha-MSH, and Ac-alpha-MSH5-10-NH2 and Ac-alpha-MSH6-10-NH2 were equipotent, being about 4,000 times less active than alpha-MSH.

Pigment-dispersing hormones: a novel family of neuropeptides from arthropods.

This report summarizes recent work on the chemistry and structure-activity relationships of crustacean chromatophorotropic pigment-dispersing hormones (PDHs) and the identification of structurally related peptides from insects. So far, the primary structures of crustacean alpha-PDH and beta-PDH and of a pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) from the grasshopper Romalea microptera have been deduced. Additionally, 17 of the 18 residues of a PDF from the cricket Acheta domesticus were identified. In the PDH/PDF family, the chain length (18 residues), terminal residues (N-terminal Asn and C-terminal Ala-NH2), and at least 50% of the amino acid sequence appear to be conserved. The functions of these peptides in insects are unknown. Detailed studies of structure-activity relationships of crustacean PDHs have been conducted, leading to the tentative identification of the message sequence, preparation of hyperpotent oxidation-resistant analogs, and synthesis of bioactive tyrosinated analogs for radioiodination. Antisera were raised against PDHs, and immunoreactive soma and fibers have been localized in the crustacean eyestalk neurosecretory system. This progress is expected to stimulate more intensive research on the PDH family.

The brain of Lymnaea contains a family of FMRFamide-like peptides.

Authentic FMRFamide and two FMRFamide-related heptapeptides were purified from the central nervous system of the fresh water snail Lymnaea stagnalis. The sequences of the heptapeptides were determined as: Ser-Asp-Pro-Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (SDPFLRFamide) and Gly-Asp-Pro-Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (GDPFLRFamide) by modified Edman degradation and enzymatic digestion. Relatively high quantities of the deamidated and therefore non-immunoreactive analogs of these two peptides (SDPFLRF and GDPFLRF) were also found. SDPFLRFamide and GDPFLRFamide were synthesized and were found to be chromatographically and biologically indistinguishable from the natural peptides, confirming the sequences. The log dose-response curves for the chronotropic action of either synthetic peptide on the heart of Lymnaea was very similar to that of FMRFamide. These data indicate that Lymnaea contains a family of FMRFamide-like peptides.

Position 3 analogues of a crustacean pigment-dispersing hormone: synthesis and biological activity.

In an effort to explain the difference in potencies between the two characterized crustacean pigment-dispersing hormones (alpha-PDH; beta-PDH) and to define a role for residue 3 in these octadecapeptide hormones, we have synthesized and purified seven position 3 alpha-PDH analogues ([Ala3], [Ile3], [Asn3], [Gln3], [Asp3], [Glu3], and [Lys3]alpha-PDH). When tested for melanophore pigment-dispersing activity in destalked Uca, [Glu3]alpha-PDH was found to be 325% more potent than alpha-PDH. Reduced potencies were observed for the [Asp3] (58%), [Asn3] (26%), [Gln3] (11%), and [Ala3] (8%) derivatives. Much lower potencies were displayed by the [Lys3] and [Ile3] analogues (0.73% and 0.66%, respectively). These results suggest that the position 3 side chain carboxylate anion of [Glu3]alpha-PDH stabilizes the active receptor-bound conformer through a charge-charge interaction.

Primary structure of an analog of crustacean pigment-dispersing hormone from the lubber grasshopper Romalea microptera.

An octadecapeptide capable of inducing pigment dispersion in the chromatophores of the fiddler crab Uca pugilator has been isolated from lyophilized heads of the lubber grasshopper Romalea microptera. This pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) was purified by gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, partition chromatography, and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Automated gas-phase sequencing, followed by the identification of the carboxyl-terminal amide, established the primary structure of this PDF as Asn-Ser-Glu-Ile-Ile-Asn-Ser-Leu-Leu-Gly-Leu-Pro-Lys-Leu-Leu-Asn-Asp-Ala- NH2. This structure was confirmed by chemical synthesis and by demonstrating that the synthetic and native PDF displayed identical chromatographic behavior and biological activity. The Romalea PDF is structurally related to the crustacean pigment-dispersing hormones (PDHs), which are also octadecapeptides. The sequence of grasshopper PDF shows 78% homology with beta-PDH (from the crabs U. pugilator and Cancer magister) and 50% homology with alpha-PDH (from the prawn Pandalus borealis). This study provides the first direct chemical evidence for the structural relatedness of insect PDF to the crustacean PDHs, thus identifying them as an authentic family of arthropod peptides.

C-terminal deletion analogs of a crustacean pigment-dispersing hormone.

This study deals with the effect of deamidation and C-terminal truncation on the potency of an octadecapeptide pigment-dispersing hormone (PDH: Asn-Ser-Gly-Met-Ile-Asn-Ser-Ile-Leu-Gly-Ile-Pro-Arg-Val-Met-Thr-Glu-Ala- NH2), first described as light-adapting distal retinal pigment hormone (DRPH) from Pandalus borealis. Bioassay of synthetic analogs for melanophore pigment dispersion in destalked fiddler crabs (Uca pugilator) showed that deamidation causes a 300-fold decrease in potency. The analogs 1-17 NH2 and 1-16 NH2 were about 3 times more potent than 1-18-OH. Further truncation led to decreases in potency, with the peptide 1-9-NH2 being the smallest C-terminal deletion analog to display activity (0.001% potency). Smaller analogs (1-8-NH2, 1-6-NH2 and 1-4-NH2) were inactive when tested in doses as high as 500 nmoles/crab. On the basis of our earlier work on N-terminal deletion analogs and the present findings the residues 6 to 9 seem to be important for PDH action.

Characterization of a pigment-dispersing hormone in eyestalks of the fiddler crab Uca pugilator.

A pigment-dispersing hormone (PDH) from eyestalks of the fiddler crab Uca pugilator has been purified by gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, partition chromatography, and reversed-phase liquid chromatography. Based on automated gas-phase sequencing and subsequent identification of carboxyl-terminal amide, we have assigned the primary structure of this peptide as Asn-Ser-Glu-Leu-Ile-Asn-Ser-Ile-Leu-Gly-Leu-Pro-Lys-Val-Met-Asn-Asp-Ala-NH (2). We have confirmed the sequence by synthesizing this peptide and demonstrating that the synthetic PDH and the native PDH display identical chromatographic behavior and biological activity. This hormone is a member of a family of invertebrate neuropeptides that includes a light-adapting/pigment-dispersing octadecapeptide hormone from the prawn Pandalus borealis. In assays for melanophore pigment dispersion in destalked fiddler crabs, Uca PDH was 21-fold more potent than Pandalus PDH. These two hormones share a hexapeptide core sequence (residues 5-10: -Ile-Asn-Ser-Ile-Leu-Gly-) as well as the amino- and carboxyl-terminal residues but differ at positions 3, 4, 11, 13, 16, and 17. These results point to speciesrelated or group-specific structural differences among crustacean PDHs.

Substitution of norleucine for methionine residues in a crustacean pigment-dispersing hormone.

In order to evaluate the structural/functional roles of Met residues in an octadecapeptide pigment-dispersing hormone (PDH: Asn-Ser-Gly-Met-Ile-Asn-Ser-Ile-Leu-Gly-Ile-Pro-Arg-Val-Met-Thr-Glu-Ala- NH2), first described as light-adapting distal retinal pigment hormone (DRPH) from Pandalus, three analogs were synthesized: Nle4-PDH, Nle15-PDH, and Nle4,15-PDH. When tested for melanophore pigment-dispersing activity in destalked Uca, all three Nle-analogs were more potent than unsubstituted PDH. Performic acid oxidation caused a marked loss of potency of PDH, Nle4-PDH, and Nle15-PDH. The analog Nle4,15-PDH was resistant to oxidation and displayed 6-fold higher potency than PDH. Thus Met4 and Met15 are not essential for the PDH activity. The oxidation-induced loss of activity of unsubstituted PDH may result from introduction of oxygen (in methionine sulfone) and a consequent conformational change in the octadecapeptide.

The antigenicity of myoglobin-related peptides synthesised on polyacrylamide and polystyrene resin supports.

Polyacrylamide resins [Atherton et al., Bioorg. Chem. 8, 351-370 (1979)] have been found suitable for solid-phase radioimmunoassay of peptides synthesised on the same supports; they are sufficiently stable during side-chain deprotection and swell sufficiently in aq. media to admit antibody molecules to the sites of peptide attachment. A re-examination of five synthetic peptide sequences corresponding to (15-21), (56-62), (94-99), (113-119) and (145-151) of beef myoglobin analogous to those delineated by Atassi [Immunochemistry 12, 423-438 (1975)] for sperm whale myoglobin shows that they all bind anti-beef myoglobin antibodies raised in rabbits, with binding capacities in the order V = III greater than IV greater than I = II. The resin-bound peptide (72-88) binds such antibodies even more extensively, as do certain sequential variants of peptide V. Other peptides, bound to polyacrylamide or polystyrene resins but unrelated to any of the five sequences and varying in size and amino acid composition and sequence were also tested with various antisera. It was concluded that the antibody binding properties of the 30 or so small peptides (two-seven residues) are dominated by their cationic and/or hydrophobic properties. In small peptides, therefore, antibody binding can be safely interpreted only in terms of general structural properties but not in terms of biological specificity. The latter property becomes assessable only with peptides representing larger areas of antigenic protein surfaces.

Structure-activity relationships of a pigment-dispersing crustacean neurohormone.

This study evaluated the effects of N-terminal sequence deletion and of chemical modifications on the melanophore pigment dispersing activity of a crustacean neuropeptide (DRPH: Asn-Ser-Gly-Met-Ile-Asn-Ser-Ile-Leu-Gly-Ile-Pro-Arg-Val-Met-Thr-Glu-Ala-NH2). Sustained biological activity was not demonstrated by peptides smaller than the tridecapeptide DRPH (6-18). N-terminal extension of this peptide led to a steady increase in activity, with the DRPH (1-18) showing the maximum activity. Carboxyl group modification had no effect, but acetylation, oxidation, cyanogen bromide, and trypsin caused a decrease in activity. Phenylglyoxal modification of Arg-13 in DRPH led to a 14-fold increase in activity. It is concluded that the N-terminus and the methionine residues are important for full activity and that the phenylglyoxal-induced potentiation is due to protection of the peptide from proteolysis in vivo.