title: Cloning and characterization of ecdysone receptor and ultraspiracle cDNAs from Spodoptera litura.
abstract: The insect molting hormone, ecdysone, induces a series of events critical for ecdysis, beginning with the formation of a complex between ecdysteroid receptor (EcR) and its partner protein, ultraspiracle (Usp). In the present study, we cloned cDNAs encoding EcR and Usp by RT-PCR and 5'-/3'-RACE from the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura, a destructive agricultural pest insect in East Asia. Hexahistidine-tagged recombinant EcR and Usp of S. litura were expressed in E. coli, and the proteins, after refolding, exhibited the specific binding to an ecdysone analogue in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagata
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohira
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wataru
authors.forename: Hiromichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagasawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D018411:Spodoptera / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D014157:Transcription Factors; C066030:USP protein, Drosophila; C055469:ecdysone receptor