Pheromone binding proteins in the European and Asian corn borers: no protein change associated with pheromone differences

Pheromone binding proteins (PBPs) are thought to play a role in the recogni tion of sex pheromone in male moth antennae. By binding selectively to diff erent components of pheromone blends, these PBPs could play a role in diffe rentiating between structurally related compounds. In this study we have ch aracterized the pheromone binding proteins of two pheromone strains of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) and also the closely related Asian corn borer (O. furnacalis). We have been able to detect only one PBP gene, which encodes a mature protein that is identical in amino acid sequence in individuals from different pheromone strains and different species. This r esult suggests that the PBP is not detecting differences between the two is omeric compounds of the European corn borer pheromone or the difference in double bond position between the pheromone molecules of the European and As ian corn borers. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.