Jt. Elliott et al., IDENTIFICATION OF SOLUBLE BINDING-PROTEINS FOR AN INSECT NEUROPEPTIDE, Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 238(3), 1997, pp. 925-930
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.