Sex pheromone production in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, is mediated by store-operated Ca2+ channels.
In most female moths, pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) regulates sex pheromone production by stimulating an influx of extracellular Ca(2+). Little is known about the plasma membrane channel or how the PBAN stimulus is communicated to the channel. Fluorescent Ca(2+) imaging techniques confirmed PBAN-induced Ca(2+) influx in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and showed that the PBAN response is reduced with repeated stimulation. Compounds known to impact Ca(2+) signaling were examined for their effects on sex pheromone production. These experiments demonstrated that the PBAN signal is likely mediated by a store-operated channel (SOC). SOC blockers, SKF-96365 and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, abolished sex pheromone production, as did flufenamic acid, a blocker of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Thapsigargin mimicked the pheromonotropic effects of PBAN. Similar results were seen when PBAN-induced lipase activity was assayed. Conversely, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol and arachidonic acid, activators of diacylglycerol-dependent Ca(2+) channels, had no effect on bombykol production.
Hull
J Joe
JJ
Molecular Entomology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan. joeh@postman.riken.go.jp
Kajigaya
Ryosuke
R
Imai
Kiyohiro
K
Matsumoto
Shogo
S
D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D009479:Neuropeptides; D012724:Sex Attractants; C079709:pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide, Helicoverpa zea