Development Of Neuropeptide Mimics For Control Of Veterinary Arthropod Pests
Objectives:
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Evaluate efficacy of existing neuropeptide mimics in disruption of critical life functions of dipteran livestock pests
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Develop mimetic analogs of new, unexplored classes of neuropeptides
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Determine sites of synthesis and release of neuropeptides, and migration patterns of mimics within pests
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Evaluate topical analog parameters such as penetration rates and time-release properties through various pest cuticle types
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Develop new mimics using rational combinatorial libraries and expressed receptor systems
Current Research
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In situ localization of a unique peptide regulating reproduction in
mosquitoes using immunocytochemical technology Localization of several insect peptides that regulate reproduction in the deer tick, Amblyomma americana Shirlee Meola
Mass spectrometric identification of the sequences of members of the CAP2b neuropeptide family native to the housefly and evaluation of their diuretic activity on housefly Malpighian tubules ‘Active conformation’ of the sulfakinin neuropeptide class Development of C-terminally modified analogs of the insect kinins that can potentially serve as antagonists and inhibit both in vitro and in vivo diuretic processes of the housefly Characterization of the chemical/structural and conformational requirements for successful interaction of the pyrokinin/PBAN neuropeptide class on a newly cloned and expressed pyrokinin/PBAN receptor from Manduca |
Characterization of the chemical/structural and conformational requirements for successful interaction of the insect kinin neuropeptide class on a newly cloned and expressed insect kinin receptor from the cattle fever tick Development of antagonists of the diuretic insect kinin class of insect neuropeptides that incorporate various stereochemical permutations of the tetrazole moiety, a mimic of a beta-turn conformation Effects of FMRFamide and insect kinin neuropeptides on digestive enzyme release in Opisina, a Lepidopteran pest species Development of ‘Magic bullet’ analogs of the pyrokinin/PBAN and insect kinin class of neuropeptides that incorporate the cytotoxic component ellipticine Development of, and conformational analysis of, antagonists of the pyrokinin/PBAN class of insect neuropeptides capable of delaying onset of pupariation in the fleshfly Neobellieria bullata and inhibiting pheromone biosynthesis in Heliothis Evaluation of the effects of selected peptidase-resistant analogs of insect neuropeptides on the development and egg production of the corn earworm H. zea. Time-release properties of orally-available, peptidase-resistant analogs of the pyrokinin/PBAN class in the tobacco budworm H. virescens Ronald J. Nachman |