Pyrazolodiazepine derivatives with agonist activity toward Drosophila RYamide receptor.

The neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like signaling is conserved broadly in many animal species, and implicated in diverse biological functions, particularly those associated with feeding and metabolism. In Drosophila, three G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are closely related to the vertebrate NPY receptors: RYamide receptor (RYa-R) CG5811, neuropeptide F receptor (NPFR) CG1147 and short neuropeptide F receptor (sNPF-R) CG7395. Here, we screened 442 compounds of the pyrazolodiazepine analogs library, and identified four synthetic small compounds that activate the RYa-R, but not other two receptors. Their maximum activity is about 40% of the endogenous ligand, Drosophila RYamide-1, indicating they are partial agonists. Structural comparisons of these agonists identified an active core structure, characterized by phenylalanine and lysine fused pyrazolodiazepine skeletons, which can be utilized as a lead structure for further development of more potent drugs active on mammalian NPYRs. Identification of small compound agonists selective on RYa-R of the genetically amenable insect model will facilitate future efforts to understand biological functions of RYa-R, a GPCR conserved in many species.

Natalisin, a tachykinin-like signaling system, regulates sexual activity and fecundity in insects.

An arthropod-specific peptidergic system, the neuropeptide designated here as natalisin and its receptor, was identified and investigated in three holometabolous insect species: Drosophila melanogaster, Tribolium castaneum, and Bombyx mori. In all three species, natalisin expression was observed in 3-4 pairs of the brain neurons: the anterior dorso-lateral interneurons, inferior contralateral interneurons, and small pars intercerebralis neurons. In B. mori, natalisin also was expressed in two additional pairs of contralateral interneurons in the subesophageal ganglion. Natalisin-RNAi and the activation or silencing of the neural activities in the natalisin-specific cells in D. melanogaster induced significant defects in the mating behaviors of both males and females. Knockdown of natalisin expression in T. castaneum resulted in significant reduction in the fecundity. The similarity of the natalisin C-terminal motifs to those of vertebrate tachykinins and of tachykinin-related peptides in arthropods led us to identify the natalisin receptor. A G protein-coupled receptor, previously known as tachykinin receptor 86C (also known as the neurokinin K receptor of D. melanogaster), now has been recognized as a bona fide natalisin receptor. Taken together, the taxonomic distribution pattern of the natalisin gene and the phylogeny of the receptor suggest that natalisin is an ancestral sibling of tachykinin that evolved only in the arthropod lineage.