PHEROMONE-INDUCED 2ND-MESSENGER SIGNALING IN INSECT ANTENNAE

Antennal preparations from Heliothis virescens respond to a blend of s ex-pheromone components with a rapid and transient inositol trisphosph ate signal in the subsecond time range that is supposed to be the prim ary reaction of the chemo-electrical transduction process. The pheromo ne-induced second messenger response is species- and sex-specific. The major component of the blend (Z-11-hexadecenal) is much more potent t han one of the minor components (Z-9-tetradecenal). Application of hig h pheromone doses elicited a delayed and sustained increase of cyclic GMP. Elevated cGMP-levels significantly reduced the pheromone-induced IP3-response, indicating a considerable cross-talk between both second messenger pathways and suggesting that cGMP may be involved in adapta tion of antennal receptor cells.