Abstract
In insects numerous physiological processes are regulated by neuropeptides. Two fluorescent analogues of the amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine were synthesized and incorporated in the diuretic neuropeptide helicokinin I from the moth Heliothis zea. By fluorescence emission measurements it was shown that both fluorescent helicokinin I analogues react sensitive on the dielectricity of their microenvironment. A helicokinin I analogue containing the fluorescent tryptophan mimic beta-[6'-(N,N-dimethyl)-amino-2'-naphthoyl]alanine (Ald) was shown to bind to dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles by the Ald residue. A membrane binding model for helicokinin I is proposed based on data from related mammalian and insect-neuropeptides.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Alanine / analogs & derivatives
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Alanine / metabolism
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
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Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
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Insect Hormones / biosynthesis
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Insect Hormones / chemistry*
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Insect Hormones / genetics
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Insect Proteins / biosynthesis
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Insect Proteins / chemistry*
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Insect Proteins / genetics
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Models, Molecular
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Moths / genetics*
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Neuropeptides / biosynthesis
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Neuropeptides / chemistry*
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Neuropeptides / genetics
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Receptors, Peptide / genetics
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Spectrometry, Fluorescence
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Tryptophan / analogs & derivatives
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Tryptophan / metabolism
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Tyrosine / analogs & derivatives
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Tyrosine / metabolism
Substances
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Fluorescent Dyes
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Insect Hormones
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Insect Proteins
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Neuropeptides
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Receptors, Peptide
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Tyrosine
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Tryptophan
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Alanine