Allostasin

Allostasin is not a widely recognized name in established biochemical or pharmacological nomenclature. In current major databases, there is no entry for a molecule formally named allostasin. The term may be a misspelling or variant of allatostatin, a well-characterized class of insect neuropeptides, or it may refer to a hypothetical or fictional compound in a given text.

Allatostatins are a family of neuropeptides found in insects that inhibit the activity of the corpora allata, the endocrine tissue that synthesizes juvenile hormone. They participate in the regulation of development, metabolism, feeding, and gut motility. Three primary families have been described in many insect species: allatostatin A, B, and C. The peptides are typically short, about five to fourteen amino acids, and are detected in neural tissue throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. Their actions are mediated by specific G protein-coupled receptors, and they often act in paracrine or neurohemal modes to influence target tissues.

Allatostatins have been studied in model species such as Manduca sexta, Drosophila melanogaster, and Locusta migratoria. They may function in concert with other neuropeptide systems to regulate growth, molting, feeding, and digestion. While their exact physiological roles can vary by species, the overarching theme is inhibition of juvenile hormone synthesis and modulation of digestive processes.

Because “allostasin” is not a standard term, readers are encouraged to verify the intended molecule or term. If the interest is in allatostatins, see Allatostatin for a fuller review.