Conformational study on an insect neuropeptide of the AKH/RPCH-family by combined 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular mechanics.

Peptides of the AKH/RPCH family are mainly involved in influencing energy metabolism in insects, i.e., regulating carbohydrate and/or lipid breakdown in the fat body. We have studied the solution conformation of a member of this family, the peptide Emp-AKH from praying mantis. It has been characterized by use of two dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The proton spectrum of the Emp-AKH peptide was assigned by sequential assignment procedure. Proton-proton distances were derived from the volumes of cross-peaks in two dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectra. The three dimensional structure was built using Evans & Sutherland molecular modelling station. Our data indicate that the Emp-AKH peptide has adopted a beta-sheet structure for amino acids 1 to 5 and a beta-turn for amino acids at positions 5 to 8. The type of turn appears to be a Non-specific beta-turn.