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Updated: Sep 20, 2026
Volatile Sex Pheromone Extraction and Chemoattraction Assay in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: August 9, 2024
A pheromonotropic peptide of Helicoverpa zea, with melanizing activity, interaction with PBAN, and distribution of
Ashok K Raina1, Timothy G Kingan, Jan P Kochansky
1Formosan Subterranean Termite Research unit, USDA, ARS, New Orleans, Louisiana 70179, USA. araina@srr.ars.usda.gov
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.
