A5022697032- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Protein Hydrolysis and Bioactive Peptides
- Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis
- Metal complexes synthesis and properties
- Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Chemistry and Stereochemistry Studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Signaling Pathways in Disease
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Selenium in Biological Systems
- Genetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases
- Studies on Chitinases and Chitosanases
University of Leeds
2014-2025
Birmingham Children's Hospital
2012-2016
Lancaster University Ghana
2002
Lancaster University
2002
University of St Andrews
2002
University of Alberta
2002
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
2000
Collège de France
2000
Inserm
2000
University of London
1998
Quiescence, or a sleep-like state, is common and important feature of the daily lives animals from both invertebrate vertebrate taxa, suggesting that sleep appeared early in animal evolution. Recently, Drosophila melanogaster has been shown to be relevant powerful model for genetic analysis behaviour. The architecture D. sexually dimorphic, with females sleeping much less than males during day-time, presumably because reproductive success requires greater foraging activity by female as well...
Mammalian somatic angiotensin converting enzyme (EC 3.4.15.1, ACE) consists of two highly homologous (N- and C-) domains encoded by a duplicated gene. We have identified an apparent single-domain (67 kDa) insect (AnCE) in embryos Drosophila melanogaster which converts I to II (Km, 365 microM), removes Phe-Arg from the C terminus bradykinin 22 is inhibited ACE inhibitors, captopril (IC50 = 1.1 x 10(-9) M) trandolaprilat 1.6 10(-8) M). also report cloning expression AnCE cDNA codes for...
Peptides structurally related to mammalian tachykinins have recently been isolated from the brain and intestine of several insect species, where they are believed function as both neuromodulators hormones. Further evidence for signaling role tachykinin-related peptides was provided by cloning characterization cDNAs two tachykinin receptors from<i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>. However, no endogenous ligand has <i>Drosophila</i> date. Analysis genome allowed us identify a putative peptide...
The autosomal recessive kidney disease nephronophthisis (NPHP) constitutes the most frequent genetic cause of terminal renal failure in first 3 decades life. Ten causative genes (NPHP1-NPHP9 and NPHP11), whose products localize to primary cilia-centrosome complex, support unifying concept that cystic diseases are "ciliopathies". Using genome-wide homozygosity mapping, we report here what believe be a new locus (NPHP-like 1 [NPHPL1]) for an NPHP-like nephropathy. In 2 families with phenotype,...
Peptide hormones are key messengers in the signaling network between nervous system, endocrine glands, energy stores and gastrointestinal tract that regulates feeding metabolism. Studies on Drosophila system have uncovered parallels homologies homeostatic peptidergic fruit flies vertebrates. Yet, role of enteroendocrine peptides regulation metabolism has not been explored, with research hampered by unknown identity produced fly's intestinal tract. We performed a peptidomic LC/MS analysis fly...
Since the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) in nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans 1998 by Fire and Mello et al., strides have been made exploiting RNAi for therapeutic applications more recently highly selective insect pest control. Although triggering mRNA degradation insects through offers significant opportunities crop protection, application environmental naked dsRNA is often ineffective eliciting a response that results lethality. There are many possible reasons failed or weak...
The neprilysin (M13) family of endopeptidases are zinc-metalloenzymes, the majority which type II integral membrane proteins. best characterised this is neprilysin, has important roles in inactivating signalling peptides involved modulating neuronal activity, blood pressure and immune system. Other members include endothelin converting enzymes (ECE-1 ECE-2), responsible for final step synthesis potent vasoconstrictor endothelins. ECEs, as well considered valuable therapeutic targets treating...
Abstract Background In Drosophila melanogaster , the male seminal fluid contains proteins that are important for reproductive success. Many of these synthesised by accessory glands and secreted into gland lumen, where they stored until required. Previous studies on identification products have largely focused characterisation male-specific cDNAs from D. and, more recently, simulans . present study, we used a proteomics approach without any sex bias to identify in secretions. Results Thirteen...
Human angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) is involved in vasoregulation, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders. The formed of two domains; the C-domain (cACE) primarily blood pressure regulation, whereas N-domain (nACE) strongly linked to fibrosis; hence, designing domain-specific inhibitors could make a difference between treating one condition without having negative effect on another. AnCE (a close homologue ACE) derived from Drosophila melanogaster has high similarity...
A soluble 67 kDa angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been purified by lisinopril-Sepharose affinity column chromatography from adult houseflies, Musca domestica. The dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase activity towards benzoyl-Gly-His-Leu was inhibited captopril (IC50 50 nM) and fosinoprilat 251 nM), two inhibitors of mammalian ACE, activated Cl- (optimal concentration 600 mM). ACE removed C-terminal dipeptides angiotensin I, bradykinin [Leu5]enkephalin [Met5]enkephalin also functioned as an...
Genome sequence analyses predict many proteins that are structurally related to proteases but lack catalytic residues, thus making functional assignment difficult. We show one of these (ACN-1), a unique multi-domain angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-like protein from Caenorhabditis elegans, is essential for larval development and adult morphogenesis. Green fluorescent protein-tagged ACN-1 expressed in hypodermal cells, the developing vulva, ray papillae male tail. The expression acn-1...
The four major ecdysteroid (insect moulting hormone) conjugates present in the newly laid eggs of desert locust, Schistocera gregaria, have been purified by reversed-phase and anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography. steroid moieties were identified as ecdysone, 2-deoxyecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone 2-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone. Phosphate analysis acid-hydrolysed samples showed a steroid:phosphate ratio approx. 1:1 for all compounds. intact ecdysone 22-phosphate, 2-deoxyecdysone...
Human somatic angiotensin I-converting enzyme (sACE) has two active sites present in homologous protein domains, resulting from a tandem gene duplication. It been proposed that the N- and C-terminal can have specific vivo roles. In Drosophila melanogaster, Ance Acer code for ACE-like single-domain proteins, also predicted to distinct physiological We investigated relationship of C-domains human sACE by genomic sequence analysis using domain-selective inhibitors, including RXP 407, selective...
Comparison of partial primary sequences sigma-class glutathione S-transferases (GSH) parasitic helminths and a GSH-dependent prostaglandin (PG)-H D-isomerase rat immune accessory cells suggested that some the helminth enzymes may also be involved in PG biosynthesis [Meyer Thomas (1995) Biochem. J. 311, 739-742]. A soluble GSH transferase nematode Ascaridia galli has now been purified which shows high activity specificity isomerization PGH to PGE, comparable spleen enzyme its PGD, similarly...
Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) expressed on the surface of endothelial cells is responsible for last step in synthesis circulating angiotensin II and inactivation bradykinin. Mammalian ACE also prostate with other components renin-angiotensin system, developing spermatids, where peptidase activity known to be critical normal sperm function. The importance an gene male fertility has been demonstrated Drosophila melanogaster, Ance hypomorphic alleles cause a defect spermiogenesis. Here...
The polyphagous Drosophila suzukii is a highly invasive species that causes extensive damage to wide range of berry and stone fruit crops. A better understanding its biology especially behaviour will aid the development new control strategies. We have investigated locomotor D. in semi-natural environment resembling typical summer northern England show adult female are at least 4-fold more active during day-light hours than males. This result was reproduced several laboratory environments...
Insect peptidyl-dipeptidase A [angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)] is a soluble single-domain that has many properties in common with the C-domain of mammalian somatic ACE and germinal ACE. Mammalian important blood homoeostasis, but role insects not known. Immunocytochemistry been used to localize neuroendocrine system locust, Locusta migratoria. Staining was observed five groups neurosecretory cells brain suboesophageal ganglion, nervi corpori cardiaci, storage part corpora cardiaca...
Proctolin was the first insect neuropeptide to be sequenced and has been subject of many physiological pharmacological studies in insects crustaceans. We have identified a Drosophila gene (CG7105, Proct) encoding precursor protein containing proctolin (RYLPT). In situ hybridization with riboprobe Proct revealed distribution transcript neurons larval central nervous system (CNS) matching that seen antiserum proctolin. An raised sequence downstream labeled same as those antiproctolin antisera....