Expression of the Gene Encoding Diapause Hormone and Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide During...

Embryonic diapause and sex pheromone biosynthesis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, are induced by the diapause hormone (DH) and the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN), respectively. These are produced in the suboesophageal ganglion from a common polyprotein precursor (DH-PBAN precursor) encoded in a single gene (DH-PBAN gene). Using RT-PCR and Southern hybridization methods, we quantitatively measured DH-PBAN mRNA content throughout the post-embryonic development. The results show that DH-PBAN gene not only expresses during pupal stage, but also during larval and adult stages. The high level of expression during pupal stage suggests that DH and PBAN are respectively synthesized.