cDNA cloning and sequence determination of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide of Mamestra brassicae: a new member of the PBAN family

Sex pheromone biosynthesis in a number of moth species is induced by a conserved 33-amino acid amidated neuropeptide PBAN (pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide). Here, using immunoblotting and bioassay, we present evidence for the presence of a very similar peptide, called Mab-PBAN, in the brain–subesophageal ganglion complex of Mamestra brassicae females. A partial Mab-PBAN encoding cDNA was isolated using 3′RACE. The deduced amino acid sequence for Mab-PBAN is: LADDMPATPADQEMYRPDPEQIDSRTKYFSPRL with a presumed amidated C-terminus. Mab-PBAN has high homology to the other members of the PBAN peptide family: 94% with Hez-PBAN, 87.9% with Lyd-PBAN and 78.8% with Bom-PBAN. The Mab-PBAN gene encodes, beside Mab-PBAN, at least three putative amidated peptides in the same reading frame, all of them having a common C-terminal pentapeptide motif F(T/S)P(R/K)L-NH2.