CLONING OF BIOGENIC-AMINE RECEPTORS FROM MOTHS (BOMBYX-MORI AND HELIOTHIS-VIRESCENS)

Based on the similarity of genes which code for guanine-nucleotide bin ding protein- (G-protein-) coupled receptors, cDNA clones encoding new members of the receptor family have been isolated from Bombyx mori an d Heliothis virescens. The deduced protein structures exhibit highest similarity to tyramine/octopamine and serotonin receptors of Drosophil a. One of the receptor clones (K50Hel) was permanently expressed in th e mammalian cell line LLCPK(1). In stimulation experiments it responde d to octopamine leading to an inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Pharmacological studies revealed a higher affinity for mianserin than for yohimbine suggesting, that the K50Hel clone encodes a neuronal type 3 octopamine receptor. As revealed by i n situ hybridization, this receptor type is expressed in the central n ervous system and antennae of moth. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd