Type-A allatostatins from the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda: molecular cloning, expression and tissue-specific localization.

The gene encoding the Spodoptera frugiperda allatostatin type-A peptide family (Y/FXFGL-amides) was isolated from S. frugiperda brain cDNA. The gene encodes a precursor of 231 amino acids containing nine (or ten) Y/FXFGL-a peptides that are tandemly arranged in three blocks. The comparison of the Spofr-AST A precursor with the respective precursor genes from two other lepidopteran species, Helicoverpa armigera and Bombyx mori, shows high homology in size, sequence (84 and 57%, respectively), and organisation of the allatostatins. One-step RT-PCR analysis using a Spofr-AST A-6 to A-9 probe shows that the gene is not only expressed as one transcript in the brain and midgut of larvae and adults in a time- and tissue-specific manner, but also in the reproductive tissues of adult S. frugiperda. Data confirm the nature of the allatostatin type-A peptides as brain/gut myoregulatory hormones, whereas their function(s) in ovaries, oviduct, and testes still have to be resolved. The cell-specific localization of the preprohormone expression, as demonstrated by whole mount in situ hybridization, confirms the overall distribution of the Spofr-AST A preprohormone as shown by RT-PCR and supports the pleiotropic functions of the peptides.

Abdel-Latief M ，Meyering-Vos M ，Hoffmann KH 《ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY》

Expression and localization of the Spodoptera frugiperda allatotropin (Spofr-AT) and allatostatin (Spofr-AS) genes.

Manduca sexta allatotropin and allatostatin were the first corpora allata (CA) regulating neuropeptides identified from Lepidoptera. Recently, we cloned the allatotropin (Spofr-AT) and the allatostatin (Spofr-AS) genes from the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. Using one-step RT-PCR for semi-quantification of the gene expression, we now demonstrate that three mRNA isoforms of the Spofr-AT gene and the Spofr-AS gene are expressed in brain, digestive tract, and reproductive organs of larvae, pupae, and adults in a time- and tissue-specific manner. Expression rates in the brain and in various parts of the digestive tract prove the dual role of the peptides as brain/gut (neuro)peptides. The functional meaning of ovarian and testes expression of the genes is not yet clear, although myoregulatory properties of the peptides are probable. The tissue-specific localization of the prohormone expression, as demonstrated by whole mount in situ hybridization, confirms the overall distribution of the prohormones as shown by RT-PCR and supports the pleiotropic functions of the peptides.

Abdel-Latief M ，Meyering-Vos M ，Hoffmann KH 《ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY》

The adipokinetic hormones in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda: cDNA cloning, quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis, and gene specific localization.

Abdel-Latief M ，Hoffmann KH 《INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY》

Characterization of a novel peptide with allatotropic activity in the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda.

Abdel-latief M ，Meyering-Vos M ，Hoffmann KH 《regulatory peptides》

Molecular characterisation of cDNAs from the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda encoding Manduca sexta allatotropin and allatostatin preprohormone peptides.

Abdel-latief M ，Meyering-Vos M ，Hoffmann KH 《INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY》