cDNA cloning of an adult male putative lipocalin specific to tergal gland aphrodisiac secretion in an insect (Leucophaea maderae).
Lma-P22 is a cuticular surface protein specific to the tergal gland secretion of Leucophaea maderae adult males which is ingested by females just before copulation. The complete Lma-P22 cDNA sequence was determined by RT-PCR using primers based on Edman degradation fragments. The recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli was recognized by an anti-Lma-P22 antibody. Northern blot analysis indicates that the corresponding mRNA is transcribed only in the epidermis of male tergites. Sequence analysis indicated that Lma-P22 deduced protein belongs to the lipocalin family. Lipocalins are extracellular proteins which carry hydrophobic compounds and some of them can bind sexual pheromone in vertebrates. Lma-P22 is the first example of a lipocalin-like protein involved in insect sexual behavior.
Korchi
A
A
Développement-Communication chimique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5548 du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
Brossut
R
R
Bouhin
H
H
Delachambre
J
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000235:genetics*; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004926:Escherichia coli; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000235:genetics*
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D019476:Insect Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012724:Sex Attractants; C047663:cuticle proteins, insects