cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence of apolipophorin-III from Agrius convolvuli (Sphingidae : Lepidoptera)

The cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence for apolipophorin-III from the swe et potato hornworm, Agrius convolvuli, have been determined. The degree of sequence identity of apolipophorin-III between A. convolvuli and the tobacc o hornworm, Manduca sexta, is quite high. The amino acid sequence from A. c onvolvuli also showed high similarity to the sequence of apolipophorin-III of four other Lepidopterans, Bombyx mori, Bombyx mandarina, Galleria mellon ella and Spodoptera litura. The high level of cDNA and amino acid sequence identity between A. convolvuli and M. sexta indicates a relatively close ph ylogenetic relationship with respect to the apolipophorin-III gene.