Active Conformation and Mimetic Analog Development for the Pyrokinin—PBAN—Diapause—Pupariation and Myosuppressin Insect Neuropeptide Families

Abstract

Members of the insect pyrokinin/PBAN and myosuppressin neuropeptide families regulate and/or influence such physiological processes as pheromone production, oviduct contraction, digestive enzyme release and the developmental processes of egg diapause and larval pupariation in a variety of insects (1, 2, 3). However, these peptides hold little promise as pest control agents due to their susceptibility to enzymatic degradation in the target insect, and to an inability to readily penetrate the insect cuticle or gut wall. In this chapter, we discuss active conformations adopted by the peptides at the receptor site and the development of active pseudopeptide and nonpeptide mimetic analogs with enhanced resistance to peptidase attack and/or topical activity in an intact insect. Disruption of peptide-regulated processes or behavior by mimetic agonist and/or antagonist analogs could form the basis for future pest insect management strategies. The Pyrokinin/PBAN/Diapause/Pupariation Family The pyrokinin family of insect neuropeptides is widespread in several insect orders