Annals of the Entomological Society of America (2006) 99, 905-909

Man-Yeon Choi and Russell A. Jurenka (2006)
Role of extracellular Ca²⁺ and calcium channel activated by a G protein-coupled receptor regulating pheromone production in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Annals of the Entomological Society of America 99 (5), 905-909
Abstract: The physiological action of pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) on isolated pheromone glands of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was investigated with regard to the role of the Ca²⁺ channel in stimulating pheromone biosynthesis. A dose-response profile indicated that the minimum level of PBAN stimulation was achieved at 10^-11 M. PBAN activity requires the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺. A time delay of up to 7.5 min from receptor activation by PBAN and influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ was determined. These results indicate that activation of the PBAN-receptor maintains the activation of a Ca²⁺ channel for a period of time. Similar results were found using transfected Sf9 cells expressing the cloned PBAN-receptor. This indicates that the Sf9 cells have a Ca²⁺ channel that is coupled to the receptor in a similar way as in the pheromone gland cells. To determine the type of Ca²⁺ channel, isolated glands were incubated with PBAN and organic Ca²⁺ channel blockers. L-type voltage-gated Ca²⁺ or nonselective Ca²⁺ channel blockers did not inhibit pheromone production. However, quinidine, a potassium channel blocker, inhibited pheromone production. These results indicate that the receptor-activated Ca²⁺ channel in the pheromone gland may not be a voltage-activated Ca²⁺ channel but rather a nonselective ion channel. Our results provide further insight into the action of PBAN with regard to the Ca²⁺ channel in the signal transduction of pheromone biosynthesis in moths.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Russell A. Jurenka

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Helicoverpa zea