Cs. Willett et Rg. Harrison, Pheromone binding proteins in the European and Asian corn borers: no protein change associated with pheromone differences, INSEC BIO M, 29(3), 1999, pp. 277-284
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.