An α(D)-globin fragment from Triatoma infestans hindgut stimulates Trypanosoma cruzi adenylyl cyclase and promotes metacyclogenesis

A peptide from hindguts of the Triatoma infestans, the hematophagous Chagus' insect vector, activates adenylyl cyclase activity in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote membranes and stimulates the in vitro differentiation of epimastigotes (proliferative and non-infectious forms) to metacyclic trypomastigotes (non-proliferative and infectious forms). The peptide was purified from hindguts of insects fed two days before with chicken blood. After purification, the peptide showed upon SDS-PAGE a single band of about 10 kDa. The sequence for 20 residues of the amino terminus of this peptide was: H₂N-Met-Leu-Thr-Ala-Glu-Asp-Lys-Lys-Leu-Ile-Gln-Gln-Ala-Trp-Glu-Lys-A la-Ala-Ser-His. This sequence corresponds to the amino terminus of chicken α(D)-globin. A synthetic peptide with the sequence of the 40 amino acids corresponding to the amino terminus of α(D)-globin, also stimulated T. cruzi adenylyl cyclase activity and promoted metacyclogenesis.