Backbone cyclic peptide antagonists, derived from the insect pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide, inhibit sex pheromone biosynthesis in moths

Miriam Altstein*, Orna Ben-Aziz, Shai Daniel, Irit Schefler, Irina Zeltser, Chaim Gilon

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe an application of the backbone cyclization and cycloscan concept for the design and synthesis of pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) antagonists capable of inhibiting sex pheromone biosynthesis in Heliothis peltigera female moths. Two backbone cyclic (BBC) sub-libraries were designed and synthesized. The structure of the first sub- library ([Arg27]PBAN27-33NH2, termed the Ser sub-library) was based on the active C-terminal hexapeptide sequence (Tyr-Phe-Ser-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2) of PBAN1-33NH2, which was found to comprise its active core. The second sublibrary ([Arg27,D-Phe30]PBAN27-33NH2, termed the D-Phe sub-library) was based on the sequence of the lead antagonist Arg-Tyr-Phe-(D)Phe-Pro-Arg-Leu- NH2. In both sub-libraries the Pro residue was replaced by an Nα(ω-amino- alkyl)Gly building unit having various lengths of the alkyl chain. All the cyclic peptides in each sub-library had the same primary sequence and the same location of the ring. The members of each library differed from each other by the bridge size and bridge chemistry. Screening of the two libraries for pheromonotropic antagonists resulted in the disclosure of four compounds that fully inhibited sex pheromone biosynthesis at 1 nmol and were devoid of agonistic activity. All antagonistic peptides originated from the D-Phe sub- library. Substitution of the D-Phe30 amino acid with a Ser resulted in a loss of antagonistic activity. Agonistic activities were exhibited by peptides from both sub-libraries.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17573-17579
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume274
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - 18 Jun 1999

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