STRUCTURE AND SPATIAL EXPRESSION OF THE MANDUCA-SEXTA MSCP14.6 CUTICLE GENE

The genomic and cDNA sequences of the MSCP14.6 gene , which encodes a Manduca sexta cuticle protein, have been determined, The genomic seque nce presented here includes 1428 N of 5' flanking DNA, 1587 N of trans cribed DNA, and 465 N of 3' flanking DNA. The intron/exon boundaries m apped by comparison of these sequences were confirmed by primer extens ion and S1 nuclease mapping, Prior work showed that the RNA produced b y this gene is regulated both temporally and spatially during larval, pupal, and adult development, and also showed that both 20-hydroxyecdy sone (20E) and juvenile hormone (JH) are important in controlling the amount of RNA present in the epidermis (Riddiford et al., 1986), In si tu hybridizations show that MSCP14.6 is expressed throughout the epide rmis in larvae and is spatially restricted in pharate pupal and pharat e adult stages, The results presented here delimiting the transcriptio n unit and 5' flanking DNA of the MSCP14.6 gene will facilitate furthe r research to determine the DNA elements necessary for regulation of g ene expression. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.