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In vitro metabolism of an insect neuropeptide by homogenates of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2024

E.P. Masler
E.P. Masler*
Affiliation:
Nematology Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 10300 Baltimore Blvd, R-165B, B-011A, BARC-West, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: 301 504 5589 Email: [email protected] Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture.
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Abstract

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The cytosolic fraction of homogenates from the free-living soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is capable of metabolizing the insect neuropeptide adipokinetic hormone, a decapeptide blocked at the N-terminus by a pGlu residue. Analysis of digests by RP-HPLC and LC-MS revealed that an initial endoproteolytic cleavage step produced a heptapeptide with an unblocked N-terminus that can serve as a substrate for aminopeptidases. The aminopeptidase activity is depressed in the presence of the inhibitor amastatin; the initial product of the endoproteolytic step accumulates during incubation, and expected aminopeptidase product peptides are reduced in amount, as assessed by chromatographic peak size. The absence of some expected peptide fragments in the reaction mixtures suggests that multiple proteases contribute to short peptide half-lives. Comparison of the adipokinetic hormone digestion in C. elegans to that reported previously for insects reveals the same general pattern of peptide fragment production.

Type
Review Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 77 , Issue 1 , March 2003 , pp. 43 - 48
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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