Technology Description:

The invention relates to novel pseudopeptide analogs of the insect allatostatin neuropeptide family, which possess biological activity mimicking that of the naturally occurring neuropeptides. By addition of a hydrophobic moiety to an active portion of the allatostatin peptides, analogs are produced which exhibit an overall amphiphilic nature and which are capable of penetrating the insect cuticle while still retaining biological activity. By substituting sterically hindered amino acids or aromatic acids for any or all of the second, third, or fifth amino acid residues of the allatostatic C-terminal pentapeptide, analogs have been produced which are resistant to degradation by insect peptidases while still retaining biological activity. The analogs may be used for insect control by disrupting critical reproductive and/or developmental processes normally regulated by allatostatins in insects.

Reference:

Please refer to USPN 6,207,643 (Docket #0047.99), "Mimetic Insect Allatosttin Analogs for Insect Control," which issued on March 27, 2001.  Foreign rights are not available.

Ronald J. Nachman U.S. Livestock Insects Laboratory 2881 F&B; Road College Station, TX 77845 (979) 260-9315 / Fax: (979) 260-9377  nachman@acs.tamu.edu	Peter E. A. Teal  Chemistry Research  1700 S.W. 23rd Drive Gainesville, FL 32604 (352) 374-5788 / Fax: (352) 374-5707  pteal@gainesville.usda.ufl.edu
Christopher S. Garside University of Toronto Toronto, Canada (416) 978-3517 / Fax: (416) 978-3522	Stephen S. Tobe University of Toronto Toronto, Canada (416) 978-3517 / Fax: (416) 978-3522