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Allatostatins of the YXFGLamide group were discovered in cockroaches through their capacity to inhibit juvenile hormone biosynthesis. Here, we assess the occurrence of preproallatostatin (preproAST) mRNA in the brain and midgut of adult females of the cockroach Blattella germanica, and estimate brain and midgut preproAST mRNA levels during the first reproductive cycle. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) shows that brain preproAST mRNA levels increase slightly during the gonadotrophic cycle, and remain high during ootheca transport. In the midgut, preproAST mRNA levels decline around the middle of the gonadotrophic cycle. The pattern of allatostatin expression in gut tissues suggests that these peptides play roles related to feeding and nutrition. Our results have shown that synthetic allatostatins inhibit hindgut motility and activate midgut alpha-amylase secretion. In addition, injected allatostatins inhibit food consumption, which might be connected to the above activities.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0167-0115(03)00165-4 | DOI Listing |
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Juvenile hormone and allatostatins in the German cockroach embryo.
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Allatostatins (ASTs), with a C-terminal sequence Tyr/Phe-Xaa-Phe-Gly-Leu/Ile-amide, are multifunctional neuropeptides that were first discovered by their ability to inhibit juvenile hormone (JH) synthesis by the corpora allata (CA) in cockroaches. These A-type ASTs have since been demonstrated to inhibit JH synthesis in crickets, termites and more recently locusts. The gene for the precursor of A-type ASTs has been identified in several species of cockroaches, in crickets and in locusts, but not yet in termites, although 5 AST peptides were isolated from the lower termite Reticulitermes flavipes that are identical to known cockroach ASTs.
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Allatostatins of the YXFGLamide group were discovered in cockroaches through their capacity to inhibit juvenile hormone biosynthesis. Here, we assess the occurrence of preproallatostatin (preproAST) mRNA in the brain and midgut of adult females of the cockroach Blattella germanica, and estimate brain and midgut preproAST mRNA levels during the first reproductive cycle. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) shows that brain preproAST mRNA levels increase slightly during the gonadotrophic cycle, and remain high during ootheca transport.
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