3 OPSIN-ENCODING CDNA FROM THE COMPOUND EYE OF MANDUCA-SEXTA

Three distinct opsin-encoding cDNAs, designated MANOP1, MANOP2 and MAN OP3, were isolated from the retina of the sphingid moth Manduca sexta, MANOP1 codes for a protein with 377 amino acid residues, It is simila r in sequence to members of a phylogenetic group of long-wavelength-se nsitive arthropod photopigments, most closely resembling the opsins of ants, a praying mantis, a locust and the honeybee, MANOP2 and MANOP3 opsins have 377 and 384 residues respectively, They belong to a relate d group of insect visual pigments that include the ultraviolet-sensiti ve rhodopsins of flies as well as other insect rhodopsins that are als o thought to absorb at short wavelengths, The retina of Manduca sexta contains three rhodopsins, P520, P450 and P357, with absorbance peaks, respectively, at green, blue and ultraviolet wavelengths, There is ev idence that MANOP1 encodes the opsin of P520, We suggest that MANOP2 e ncodes P357 and that MANOP3, representing a class of blue-sensitive in sect photopigments, encodes P450.