IDENTIFICATION OF SOLUBLE BINDING-PROTEINS FOR AN INSECT NEUROPEPTIDE

A photoaffinity analog of Helicoverpa zea pheromone biosynthesis activ ating neuropeptide (Hez-PBAN) was used to identify PBAN binding protei ns in various tissues of the corn earworm moth, H. zea. Synthetic Hez- PBAN was derivatized on Lys-27 with p-benzoyldihydrocinnamoyl-N-hydrox ysuccinimide ester (BZDC-NHS ester). The resulting BZDC-PBAN stimulate d pheromone production in H. zea isolated abdomens at levels comparabl e to those of the unmodified peptide. Photoaffinity labeling experimen ts using [H-3]BZDC-PBAN with female moth tissues revealed soluble 100 and 115 kDa proteins in the brain subesophageal ganglia complex, ventr al nerve cord, and thoracic muscle that were specifically labeled with the PBAN analog. (C) 1997 Academic Press.