Nucleotide sequence of cloned cDNA coding for honeybee prepromelittin

Total mRNA from venom glands of young queen bees was transcribed into cDNA and cloned into the PstI site of plasmid pBR322. The nucleotide sequence of two clones with inserts containing genetic information for prepromelittin is presented. The longer insert encompasses 374 base pairs including 52 nucleotides before the initiation codon and a 3' non-coding region of 112 base pairs. The 70 amino acids of prepromelittin represent the total coding capacity of the mRNA from which this insert is derived. Southern blot analysis with this cloned cDNA has shown that it hybridizes with a single EcoRI fragment of honeybee DNA which contains about 3000 base pairs.