Solution Structure and Expression Profile of an Insect Cytokine: Manduca sexta Stress Response Peptide-2.
2016
Manduca sexta stress response peptide-2 (SRP2) is predicted to be a 25-residue peptide
(FGVKDGKCPSGRVRRLGICVPDDDY), which may function as an insect cytokine to regulate
immune responses. Produced as an inactive precursor, endogenous proSRP2 is probably converted to
active SRP2 by limited proteolysis in response to invading pathogens, along with prophenoloxidase
and pro-Spatzle activation. In addition to immunity, SRP2 may control head morphogenesis or other
developmental processes in the lepidopteran insect. We have examined the profiles of SRP2 gene
expression in terms of immune induction capacity, tissue specificity, and developmental changes. To
gain insights into its functions, we chemically synthesized SRP2, injected the peptide solution into
naive larvae, and detected significant up-regulation of several antimicrobial peptide genes. We determined
the 3D molecular structure in solution of SRP2 by two-dimensional 1 H- 1 H NMR spectroscopy.
SRP2 has an ordered structure, which is composed of two short β-strands at regions R12 − R15
and I18 − V20, one type-I’ β-turn at region R15 − I18, and a half turn at region C8 − S10 in its welldefined
core stabilized by a covalent disulfide bond between C8 and C19. The secondary and tertiary
structures are further stabilized by hydrogen bonds. Possible relationships between the structure and
function are also discussed.
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