Downloaded by 177.82.162.20 on April 4, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: January 25, 1991 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1991-0453.pr001
Preface
F I F T E E N Y E A R S H A V E E L A P S E D since Alvin N. Starratt and Brian E. Brown released their pioneering publication announcing the initial determination of a primary structure for an insect neuropeptide—the pentapeptide proctolin. In the early 1980s, only a few American, Japanese, and European universities, as well as the Zoecon Corporation in the United States, were engaged in insect neuropeptide research. Neuropeptide discoveries in vertebrates and molluscs—and the advent of exquisitely sensitive techniques for isolation, sequence determination, and synthesis of neuropeptides—rapidly accelerated discoveries in both the mammalian and insect arenas. More than 50 insect neuropeptides have been sequenced and reported in the literature, and that number is increasing rapidly. Concomitant with these developments have been several symposia, conferences, and workshops that address various aspects of insect neuroscience. Three years ago, with the exponential growth of insect neuropeptide identification, we felt that the time had arrived to hold a comprehensive symposium to assess the state of the science in bioactive insect neuropeptides and to identify the most promising directions for future research. The appropriate occasion arose in conjunction with the International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies. Twenty-four leading researchers in insect neurobiology, biochemistry, chemistry, and molecular biology participated in this symposium. Recent results of research on developmental, homeostatic, behavioral, reproductive, and metabolic neuropeptides were presented and discussed. Important papers were also presented on neuropeptide synthesis, tertiary structure conformation, gene identification, and expression of foreign peptides in baculoviruses— the latter having potential as a means of introducing neuropeptide regulating genes into living insects. This volume reports the current state of our knowledge. We hope that it will be read and perused by both the initiated and those just entering this challenging field of research.
ix Menn et al.; Insect Neuropeptides ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1991.
As the senior editor (Julius J. Menn), I extend my deepest appreciation to Herbert Roller, whose foresight, knowledge, and inspiration were instrumental in introducing me to the exciting field of insect neuropep tides. JULIUS J. MENN T H O M A S J. K E L L Y E D W A R D P. M A S L E R
Downloaded by 177.82.162.20 on April 4, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: January 25, 1991 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1991-0453.pr001
Plant Science Institute U.S. Department of Agriculture Beltsville, MD 20705
September 25, 1990
The cover illustration is based on a model of two related insect neuropeptide active core regions in a β-turn conformation generatedfrommolecular dynamics on a Cray supercomputer.
x Menn et al.; Insect Neuropeptides ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1991.
Downloaded by 177.82.162.20 on April 4, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: January 25, 1991 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1991-0453.pr001
Abbreviations and Nomenclature
In addition to abbreviations and acronyms which are individually identified in the following manuscripts, two systems are used throughout this volume: I.
Insect peptide nomenclature follows the rules prescribed in Raina and GMe, Insect Biochem. 1988,18,785-787.
II. Single-letter amino acid codes: Ala
A
Leu
L
Arg
R
Lys
K
Asn
N
Met
M
Asp
D
Phe
F
Cys
C
Pro
P
Gin
Q
Ser
S
Glu
E
Thr
T
Gly
G
Trp
W
His
H
Tyr
Y
lie
I
Val
V
xi Menn et al.; Insect Neuropeptides ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1991.
