Recent advances in insect neuropeptides

1. The number of insect neuropeptides identified chemically grows rapidly and most important neuropeptides have already been characterized. After multi-year efforts Bombyx diapause hormone has recently been isolated and sequenced. 2. New approaches to search for new insect neuropeptides have been carried out by two groups of workers, which have succeeded in identifying several unique peptides. 3. cDNAs for more than 10 insect neuropeptides have been cloned and sequenced. It was found that two functionally distinct neuropeptides, Bombyx diapause hormone and pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide, are encoded in a single gene.