Isolation, identification, and synthesis of AKH-I4-10 from Locusta migratoria

A heptapeptide was isolated from brain-corpora cardiaca-corpora allata-suboesophageal ganglion extracts of the locust, Locusta migratoria. Biological activity was monitored during HPLC purification by observing the myotropic effect of column fractions on the isolated hindgut of Leucophaea maderae. The primary structure of this myotropic peptide was established as: Phe-Thr-Pro-Asn-Trp-Gly-Thr-NH2. The chromatographic and biological properties of the synthetic peptide were the same as those of the native peptide, thus confirming structural analysis. This heptapeptide is identical to the carboxyterminal heptamer of AKH-I and therefore designated as AKH-I4-10. AKH-I4-10 has no adipokinetic activity. AKH-I4-10 is most likely a breakdown product of Lom-AKH-I, suggesting that an endopeptidase which cleaves between Asn and Phe is present in the brain complex of L. migratoria. Such an endopeptidase has recently been characterized in in synaptic membranes of the nervous system of Schistocerca gregaria.