title: A pheromonotropic peptide of Helicoverpa zea, with melanizing activity, interaction with PBAN, and distribution of immunoreactivity.
abstract: The sequence of an 18-amino acid residue peptide was deduced from the gene encoding PBAN and other peptides with common C-termini in Helicoverpa zea. The peptide caused melanization in larvae and pheromone production in females of H. zea, and was designated pheromonotropic melanizing peptide (Hez-PMP). The peptide has a 83% sequence homology with a pheromonotropic peptide isolated from Pseudaletia separata. PMP caused melanization and mortality when injected into larvae just before molting. Whereas intense melanization was caused with a dose of 1,000 pmol, peak mortality occurred at 100 pmol, with 50% of larvae dying within 48 h after injection. Pheromonotropic activity of PMP was dose dependent. Co-injection of Hez-PMP and Hez-PBAN into a female resulted in suppression of the pheromonotropic effect of PBAN. Whole-mount immunocytochemical studies revealed PMP-like immunoreactivity in frontal ganglion, subesophageal, thoracic, and abdominal ganglia as well as the esophageal nerve.
authors.affiliation: Formosan Subterranean Termite Research unit, USDA, ARS, New Orleans, Louisiana 70179, USA. araina@srr.ars.usda.gov
authors.forename: Ashok K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Raina
authors.forename: Timothy G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Kingan
authors.forename: Jan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kochansky
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005724:Ganglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D012724:Sex Attractants; C079709:pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide, Helicoverpa zea