Differential distribution of pyrokinin-isoforms in cerebral and abdominal neurohemal organs of the American cockroach.

Different pyrokinin isoforms were identified from major neurohemal organs of the American cockroach. During their isolation they were recognized by bioassay using a hyperneural muscle preparation that is sensitive to pyrokinins. All structures were elucidated by sequence analysis and mass spectrometry. The primary structures of the novel peptides isolated from the retrocerebral complex are LVPFRPRL-NH2 (designated Pea-PK-3) and DHLPHDVYSPRL-NH2 (designated Pea-PK-4). A pyrokinin, labeled Pea-PK-5, was isolated from abdominal perisympathetic organs. Structural analysis of this peptide yielded the sequence GGGGSGETSGMWFGPRL-NH2. The threshold concentrations of the identified pyrokinins for an eliciting effect on contractions of the hyperneural muscle preparations differed dramatically. This indicates that the different distribution of pyrokinin-isoform observed in neurohemal organs may be associated with different functions. This is the first report of a differential distribution of peptide-isoforms in the neurohemal organs of insects.