Structure of locust adipokinetic hormone, a neurohormone that regulates lipid utilisation during flight

Abstract
Adipokinetic hormone, isolated from locust [Locusta migratoria, Schistocerca gregaria] corpora cardiaca, was identified as a blocked peptide: PCA [pyrrolidone carboxylic acid]-Leu-Asn-Phe-Thr-Pro-Asn-Trp-Gly-Thr-NH2. The detailed structure is based on mass spectrometric data, substantiated in part by dansyl-Edman and carboxypeptidase data on thermolytic fragments. This is the 1st peptide hormone from an insect neuroendocrine organ to be fully characterized.