Isolation and amino acid sequence of a peptide with vitellogenesis inhibiting activity from the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare (Crustacea)

The complete amino acid sequence of a neuropeptide was established using gas-phase microsequencing, mass spectrometry, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. This peptide, stored in the sinus gland of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare, inhibited vitellogenin synthesis by the fat tissue and inhibited the onset of secondary vitellogenesis when tested in homologous bioassays. This peptide, named Arv-VIH, has 83 amino acid residues and a molecular mass of 9485 Da. Relationships with other related peptides are presented. (C) 1999 Academic Press.