Plant peptides as modulators of invertebrate neurohormone receptors

自然产生的多肽广泛分布于许多植物中，但它们的生物学作用往往不清楚。环状植物多肽(称为环肽)与神经肽催产素有相似之处，并作用于其受体，已被分离出来。这种信号系统对繁殖、发育和行为以及水的动态平衡都很重要。阐明环肽类化合物的天然功能。本项目旨在表征无脊椎动物受体的药理特性和生物学效应，以及环肽对它们的调节作用。植物产生以无脊椎动物受体为靶标的分子的概念非常吸引人，并将增强对动植物生态学基本生物学过程的了解。

Naturally-occurring peptides are widely distributed in many plants, but their biological role is often unclear. Circular plant peptides (called cyclotides) that share similarities with the neuropeptide oxytocin, and acts on its receptor, have been previously isolated. This signalling system is important for reproduction, development, and behaviour as well as water homeostasis. To elucidate the natural function of cyclotides. This project aims to characterise the pharmacological properties and biological effects of invertebrate receptors and their modulation by cyclotides. The notion that plants produce molecules to target invertebrate receptors is extremely appealing and will enhance knowledge about fundamental biological processes of plant-animal ecology.