Separation and partial purification of central nervous system peptides from Limulus polyphemus with hyperglycemic and chromatophorotropic activity in crustaceans

Abstract

1. Crude extracts of Limulus CNS cause hyperglycemia in Orconectes immunis and expand chromatophores in Uca pugilator. 2. The hyperglycemic action is due to a previously unknown polypeptide (LHGF) with an estimated molecular weight of 6400 daltons. LHGF is inactivated by hydrogen peroxide, pepsin, and protease, but unaffected by trypsin and brief boiling.3. The chromatophorotropic activity is due to the previously reported substance, LUC. LUC is shown to be a peptide with an approximate molecular weight of 1850 daltons; it is inactivated by hydrogen peroxide, protease, pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and thermolysin. 4. LUC and LHGF activity can be readily separated by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-25 column. 5. The similarity of LUC and LHGF to known crustacean hormones is dicussed.