Phytoparasitica (1997) 25, 356-357

Tetsu Ando (1997)
PBAN, Biochemical site for controlling pheromone production
Phytoparasitica 25 (4), 356-357
Japan-Israel Workshop on Novel Approaches for Controlling Insect Pests and Plant Diseases, July 12-17, 1997, Kibbutz Ma'ale haHamisha, Israel
Abstract: Most female moths produce their sex pheromones in synchronization with a light-dark cycle, and the pheromone production is controlled by the hormone pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN), which is secreted by the subesophageal ganglion (SG). To date, the hormone has been chemically characterized from three species, Helicoverpa zea, Bombyx mori and Lymantria dispar. All of these peptides, composed of 33 or 34 amino acids, are C-terminally amidated and share approximately 80% sequence homology. In order to apply PBAN for pest management, the biosynthetic process regulated by the hormone must be clarified. The biosynthetic pathways of many lepidopterous sex pheromones comprise the following steps: construction of saturated acyl moiety, carbon chain elongation or shortening, reduction of the acyl group to an alcohol, and acetylation or oxidation into an aldehyde. In Japan, the mode of action of PBAN has been investigated using mainly B. mori. We concluded from in vivo and in vitro experiments with the decapitated females and ¹⁴C-labeled precursors that the target step for PBAN is acyl reduction. However, among the other lepidopterous species in which the target step of their PBAN was examined, these results coincide only with those on Spodoptera littoralis. It is interesting that PBAN might not have a universal target step. After mating, receptivity of the female moth terminates and oviposition begins. Furthermore, sex pheromone-releasing behavior stops and pheromone biosynthesis ceases. The mechanism involved in the mating-induced termination of pheromone production was examined in some experiments with B. mori. The results indicated that the pheromone gland of the mated female maintained its ability to biosynthesize bombykol; however, it could not produce pheromone due to a suppression of PBAN secretion from the SG, and because the suppression was mediated by a neural signal of mating and not by a substance in the spermatophore.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Tetsu Ando

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

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